BUTLER — Gerald Austin “Bezzy” Meeks, 65, of Stewart Avenue, Butler, passed away Friday evening, June 19, 2009, in Colonial Manor Health Care Center, Loudonville, following an extended illness.
Gerald was born Oct. 29, 1943, in Butler to Marvin and Wilma (Oswalt) Meeks and graduated from Butler High School in 1963. A gifted athlete, Bezzy played both football and basketball while in high school. He was a running back and linebacker on the gridiron where his team fought through an undefeated season. Bezzy was also a hot handed shooting guard on the hardwood. In 2007, these two teams were recognized for their outstanding records and were inducted into the Clear Fork Valley Hall of Fame.
Bezzy worked as a crane operator at Ohio Brass for 38 years until the plant closed in 2001.
A sports fan, Bezzy often rooted for his Ohio State Buckeyes; both the football and basketball teams. He also enjoyed watching and admired the play of the classic Boston Celtics teams of the 1960s and ’70s.
Bezzy was intrigued by both the mental and physical challenges of golf, and could be found walking the fairways at Pleasant Hill Golf Course. Spring, summer, and fall brought Bezzy to the surrounding lakes of north central Ohio where he would fish for hours. Gerald also loved playing cards. His night was complete just hanging out with the guys playing euchre, rummy or hearts.
Bezzy never met a stranger. He loved life and always supported his family.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Jene Meeks of Butler; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Scott Martin of Jeromesville; three grandchildren, Micheala, Bryan and Brooke Martin; two great-grandchildren, Wyiatt Hynek and Emma Martin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary and Mary Meeks of Easley, S.C., Steve and Carolyn Meeks of Butler, Dave and Geraldine Meeks of Bellville, Rodney and Rita Meeks of Butler, Rusty and Cindy Meeks of Ashland, Ky.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Elaine and Mike Chillemi of Okeechobee, Fla., and Nina and Arnie Schmidt of Butler; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his twin brother, Harold Meeks.
The Meeks family will receive friends today from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home where the funeral will follow at 8 p.m. The Rev. Ken Kinley will officiate. Interment will be on Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Bunker Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions to the Clear Fork Athletic Boosters may be made at the funeral home. Online condolences are encouraged by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
