MEEK, CHARLES A.

Chaplain (Col.) Charles Alexander Meek (USA Ret.) at his home on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008.

Born July 17, 1919, in Earle, AR., Chaplain Meek graduated from Ouachita College in Arkadelphia, Ark. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942, and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the 4th Marine Raider Battalion and saw action on several of the Pacific Islands. He was wounded during the invasion of Guam and awarded the Purple Heart. He was transferred to St. Simons Island, Ga., and remained in the Marine Reserve until he attended Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va. He transferred to the Army Chaplain Corps as a captain and was assigned to the U.S. Army Ranger Training Command at Fort Benning, Ga. He was assigned to the 45th Infantry in Korea in 1952 and earned the Silver Star, Korean Service Medal, Navy Unit Citation, Naval Commendation Medal, and Bronze Star W/V devices, 2nd OLC and National Service Medal.

Chaplain Meek served in Airborne Units for 15 years, including a tour in Vietnam as 9th Division Chaplain, earning the Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm (Unit) Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with 2nd OLC and Distinguished Unit Citation. His other service awards include the Master Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, and Good Conduct Medal.

After Vietnam, he was assigned as the Post Chaplain at Fort Campbell, Ky. He was then assigned as the Southern Command Chaplain in Panama in 1969. He returned to serve at Fort Bragg and XVIII Corps Chaplain in 1973.

Chaplain Meek retired from military service in 1975 and became active in Moore County, NC as a minister in the Presbyterian Church. He served as minister of Eureka Presbyterian Church and was an interim in many Moore County Presbyterian churches. He was a member of many volunteer organizations including DAV, The American Legion, VFW and TROA. He organized the “Restart Program” that sent 25 children each summer to Camp Monroe. He was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Memorial at Cannon Park in Pinehurst. He was a member of the Marine Corps League of Southern Pines, the Retired Officers Association, and the Country Club of North Carolina. He was a 32nd Degree Mason.

Chaplain Meek is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alice Gardner Meek; his daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and W. Z. Smith of Gastonia; sons, Charles S. Meek of Raleigh, and Richard A. Meek, of Supply. He had four granddaughters and one great-granddaughter. He is also survived by his sister, Frances Thompson, of Savannah, Tenn., nephew and wife, Charles and Betty Thompson of McLean, Va., and nephew and wife, Jimmy and Kathleen Coda, of Pittsfield, Mass.