Carl Meador II

November 19, 1935 – December 13, 2024

Carl Meador, II, 89, passed away in California where he spent his last years surrounded by his children and grandchildren. While he did his best to adapt to life on the West Coast, he forever considered Akron his home. 

Carl was born in Akron, Ohio to Carl and Clara Meador, who both worked for the Firestone Tire and Rubber company. As a child he built his own car and raced in the Akron Soap Box Derby. Carl grew up in Firestone Park and graduated from Garfield High School, where his numerous swimming records held for decades.

Carl attended Akron University where he participated in ROTC, was a member of the Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity, and served as captain of swim team all four years. After graduating with a degree in Labor Relations, he enlisted in the Army. 

While Carl was an Officer stationed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, he and a friend took an art class to “meet girls.” He wasn’t intending to find the love of his life, but then he met Lucinda (Greig). It wasn’t her beauty that caught his attention as much as hearing the professor say that Lucinda was a Fulbright Scholar who just returned from studying for a year abroad. Carl saw that Lucinda was someone who could be a brilliant and adventurous life companion. Luckily, she saw the same in him.

They married and returned to the Akron area where Carl graduated from Akron University Law School. Carl and Lucinda opened a private law practice and a Commonwealth Title Agency. They were together day and night for almost 60 years and still enjoyed each other’s company. They raised three children in Bath, Ohio where they remained until 2020. 

Carl participated in golf, tennis, and bowling leagues. He was an active member of Bath Church, Akron Torch Club, Fairlawn Kiwanis, The Bar Association, and The Fairlawn Chamber of Commerce - which awarded him Citizen of the Year in 1996.

Carl loved to stay busy and keep learning. He attended every lecture, meeting, and exhibit that he could. He turned everything into a learning opportunity. Road trips were notoriously long because he wanted to stop at every single point of interest. His family couldn’t visit a park without reading every plaque. While this was sometimes frustrating to his children in their youth and teenage years, he helped inspire a love of learning in each of them.

Carl and his wife enjoyed the theatre and held season tickets to multiple venues in Akron and Cleveland. Carl also enjoyed wood-working, taking care of his yard, and collecting local art. He had an insatiable sweet tooth and loved anything chocolate.

Carl and Lucinda traveled to many countries - Egypt being his favorite. His most memorable travel moment was being baptized in The River Jordan while on a trip with Bath Church.

At age 70, Carl started competing in the Senior Olympic Games. He represented the state of Ohio and qualified for the National Senior Olympic Games many times. He traveled all over the United States for these events. He swam all four competitive swimming strokes, including butterfly, until he was 80!  

At 87, Carl was able to take on a new chapter by moving into a wonderful Assisted Living Community. In true Carl fashion, he continued to participate in all the activities. Carl enjoyed his new friends and was a favorite among residents and staff. He was even voted The Valentine's King.

He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family, but we celebrate that Carl and Lucinda are together again!

Carl was preceded in death by his adoring wife Lucinda (Greig) Meador; parents Clara and Carl Meador, Sr; sister Dolores (Wayne) Alley; niece Kathy (Alley) Hinson; and many wonderful friends.

Carl leaves behind three children: Julia (Justin) Becker, Ed (Tammy) Meador, and Melinda (Coby) Garfield; five grandchildren: Jonathan and Connor Meador, Lucinda and Clara Becker, and Weston Garfield; niece Chris Shane; and nephew Greg (Kathy) Alley.

Calling hours will be Saturday, January 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. directly followed by a celebration of life service at Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home 39 S. Miller Rd. Fairlawn, OH 44333. 

In lieu of flowers you may send donations in memory of Carl to:

Bath Church

3980 West Bath Road

Akron, Ohio 44333 

or

The Summit County Metro Parks Foundation

975 Treaty Line Road

Akron, Ohio 44313

https://foundation.summitmetroparks.org