Jesse James Meadows

Jesse James Meadows, age 83, sailed away to heaven early Sunday morning February 27, 2022, at Centennial Hills Hospital in Las Vegas, NV.

Jesse was born June 7, 1938, in Opelika, Alabama, the eldest son of the late James Willie Meadows and Ozella Blackmon. As a child he resided in Salem Alabama with his maternal grandmother Lela Thomas until he moved to Michigan in the late 1950s. He graduated from River Rough High School in 1958 where he was a member of the National Honor Society, ran track and field, and competitively swam. He went on to run in the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada and was a four-time Canadian champion in the 120 High Hurdles and the 440 Relay. He graduated from Central Technical College of Detroit, Michigan. He never dreamed of being a business owner; he wanted to be a draftsman or an illustrator. In 1966, after a few years of working for General Motors he opened his own business, Meadows Printing “You Name IT We Pint IT” in Ecorse, Michigan.

In the early 1970’s Jesse managed bands and he met his lifelong sweetheart the late Carol Elaine (Clark) Meadows at a gig in Bellefontaine, Ohio. They fell in love and were united as one on February 19, 1972. Their devoted and unconditional love continued for 30 years. Jesse’s “Honey” was his world and he continued to love, adore, and care for her as her Multiple Sclerosis progressed. Jesse’s love, adoration and caring for his wife was an example of true unconditional love to everyone who had the opportunity to witness it. Jesse accepted the love of Jesus at an early age and was an active member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Ecorse, Michigan where he served alongside his wife on the No. 2 Usher Board after their marriage. They moved to Bellefontaine, Ohio in 1975, where they continued to serve the Lord at Grace A.M.E. serving in numerous capacities.

Jesse also moved his business to Bellefontaine, Ohio, the first Black owned printing business in town. He was an active member in the business community, Year-Round Garden Club, and the Logan County Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society where he and his wife participated in many fundraisers and community walk-a-thons. Jesse was a champion of youth sports and assisted with the local youth track team. He instilled the love of track and field into his children and grandchildren, keeping hurdles and a shot put in his backyard. He loved taking youth to the Junior Olympics and celebrating in their success.  

Jesse retired from his printing business in 2008 and moved to Washington State with his daughter and son-in-law where he was active with the local Senior Center, chauffeured his grandchildren around, attended numerous sporting events (often being the loudest one in the crowd), vacationed and enjoyed life. They all most recently moved to Las Vegas in July 2021.

A loving and caring husband, father, grandpa, uncle, cousin, and friend who never once met a stranger; he will be remembered as an even keeled, fun loving man who always enjoyed being with family.

An Athlete, Artist, Entrepreneur…. A family man who will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife Carol Elaine (Clark) Meadows, son Steve Maurice Meadows, brother Edlee Alexander and granddaughter Jazmyn Evyon McGuire.

He leaves to cherish his memories two children Darrin James (Roberta) Meadows of Bellefontaine, Ohio; Jessica Jae (Quantez) Gurley of Las Vegas, NV; and daughter-in-law Jacqueline Meadows of Columbus, Ohio. Seven grandchildren Britney Nicole (Jared) Malcolm; Brett Maurice (Cierra) Meadows; Brandon James Meadows; Briyanna Jael Blue; Brooklyn Jenae (Mason) Bailey; Anfernee Wanya Gurley and Bronx Jermaine Meadows and one great-grandchild Ivy Elaine Meadows. Two brothers Vincent Meadows, Valley, Alabama and Christopher Meadows-Culquit, Atlanta, Georgia; brothers-in-law Gail (Kathryn) Clark, Bellefontaine, OH and Glen (Theodora) Clark, Las Vegas, NV; sister-in-law Dedria (Michael) Scott and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Revs. Lernard Thomas and Randolph Thomas will officiate the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, ast the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 4, 2022, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Burial will be at the Highland Memorial Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio.

The staff of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Bellefontaine is honored to serve the Meadows family.

(authored by the family)

T.D.