Thomas Meeks

1940 - 2020

Thomas Howard Meeks
March 23, 1940 - December 20, 2020
Growing up in a small Indiana town, Tom was active in Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. At age 16, he was selected to attend an international Boy Scout jamboree in Japan. This experience piqued his lifelong interest in international travel to explore other cultures and lifestyles and began his love of photography.
While obtaining a B.S. degree in civil engineering at Purdue University, he enjoyed making lifelong friendships in Triangle fraternity. After graduation he moved to Los Angeles to work as an engineer for the Division of Highways (now Caltrans). He returned to Indiana in 1964 to marry Jean Shoemaker, his sweetheart and wife of 56 years. A year later, they moved to San Francisco where Tom was employed by an international civil engineering firm with offices in Australia.
In 1966, they set off on a two-year around-the-world adventure. After working in Sydney and Perth, Australia, for nearly two years, they resumed their journey by visiting countries in Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East and Europe, before returning to the U.S. After working in Seattle and Portland for three years, they finally returned to San Francisco in 1971.
During a jazz-oriented visit to Cuba sponsored by the Palo Alto Jazz Alliance (PAJA) in 2000, Tom decided to bring a group of high school jazz students to the U.S. to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Making the multitude of arrangements, including obtaining permission from the Cuban and American governments, proved to be a near full-time job during the following two years. Finally in 2002 the students were able to spend a week in the Bay Area where they performed a concert for PAJA members and at local high schools.
After 24 years as head of his civil engineering practice, he retired and embarked on a multi-year kitchen renovation project.
Tom was a life-long jazz fan, and enjoyed photographing his favorite performers during his attendance at the Monterey Jazz Festival for 35 years.
Tom leaves behind his beloved wife, Jean, and his sister, Rose Anne Negele, of Boston.
To honor Tom, a celebration of life will be held at a future date when those who loved him can safely gather. Donations in his memory may be made to Americares.org.