Joe Meadows

Joe Norman Meadows, 88, died peacefully in his sleep at St. Catherine’s of Waco on July 8, 2024.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Grace Gardens Funeral Home on Friday, July 26, 2024. The interment and grave-side service will be at the Crawford Cemetery at a later date.

Joe was born at home in McGregor, TX to the late Harry Hervey Meadows and Letha Estelle Dawson Meadows on December 1, 1935. He was the oldest of three brothers. Joe was a proud member of the McGregor Bulldog class of 1954. He served as class president and played center on the football team. He enjoyed playing pool at the local pool hall and would sneak through the back door so his mother wouldn’t know where he was. However, Joe’s dog, Mike, would wait for him by the front door! Despite owning several businesses, Joe never realized his dream of owning a pool hall. Joe was a Boy Scout and obtained the rank of Life Scout. He was unable to attain the rank of Eagle Scout due to the departure of his scoutmaster.

Growing up, Joe worked for his dad, Hervey, in the family water well drilling business, Meadows Drilling. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in geology in 1961 (Hook ‘Em Horns)! He was proud that his son, Mark, was a fellow UT grad. He enjoyed watching UT football on TV and going to UT track events with his friends. 

Joe served in the Army as part of the 2nd Armored Division ("Hell on Wheels") in West Germany. He earned the rank of Sergeant and received an advancement as the highest-ranking Boy Scout in his unit. While in the Army, Joe was a member of the Fort Hood U.S. Army Chorus. He traveled to New York City with the chorus to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show, but unfortunately his group was bumped.

Joe married Margaret Ellen Tyer on June 18, 1966. He courageously and tirelessly cared for Margaret for 8 years in their home until she lost her battle with Alzheimer’s in 2016, several months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Joe had a life-long interest in geology and worked as a geologist in Dallas and Houston. He earned his law degree in 1973 by working full-time and attending night school at South Texas College of Law in Houston. He was part of the State Bar of Texas 2023 Class of 50-Year Lawyers. Joe practiced as an oil and gas attorney in Houston and Abilene, Texas, and he ran a title company in Abilene. Additionally, he owned and ran Builder’s Title Company in Waco, Texas. Following the sale of Builder’s Title, Joe practiced civil and criminal law in Waco. He also practiced civil law with his son-in-law, Chris Harris, in McGregor, TX. Joe served as McLennan County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 1, for several years until his wife Margaret was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. 

Joe was a volunteer with the McLennan County Republican Party Partners and was part of the ROMEOS (Really Old Men Eating Out) and the Panera Group. He enjoyed reading the Wall Street Journal, doing crossword puzzles, and watching the stock market. He played golf with his high school buddy Kenneth, but his game wasn’t good enough to play with his brother, Ray. Joe enjoyed scuba diving with his son Mark and was a member of the Bottom Time Dive Club in Waco.

Joe enjoyed music and played piano and saxophone at an early age. He sang in the church choir at each church he was a member of: College Avenue Baptist Church, McGregor, Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas; Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston; First Baptist Church, Abilene; and First Baptist Church Waco. He sang Bass in the Baylor Singing Seniors during the 2019-2022 season. 

Joe served as a Deacon at Tallowood Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Abilene and First Baptist Church Waco. He was on the Stephen Ministry Team at FBC Waco where he was a member for almost forty years. He had the patience of Job and practiced his faith in a loving manner. He had a sweet, sweet spirit.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, brother Doug Meadows and sister-in-law Mary Meadows. He is survived by his daughter, Meredith Harris (and son-in-law Chris) of Hewitt, TX, and his son, Mark Meadows (and daughter-in-law Holly) of Nashville, TN. Joe was “Gran-Gran” to granddaughter Jaimee Harris of Nashville, TN; grandsons Robert Harris of Austin, TX; Michael Harris of Gatesville, TX; and granddaughter Madison “Maddie” Meadows of Nashville, TN. Joe is also survived by his brother Ray Meadows and sister-in-law Becky “Sis” of Waco; sister-in-law Pauline Tyer of Iowa City, Iowa; Aunt Bobbi West; nephews and nieces Kent Meadows, Shaun Zitting, Angie Shoaf, Mindy Meadows, Al Meadows, Sarah Perez and their families; as well as several cousins.

Many thanks to Providence Village! Joe enjoyed the friends he made during his time in assisted living (a/k/a “Stalag 13”). He liked to tease the “handlers” who took good care of him. They affectionately dubbed him “Hugh Hefner” because of his pajamas. Thank you to the second-floor rehab staff, the occupational team (Ruth! & Kathy), rehabilitation team (Dietrich & “The Dragon Lady”), and speech therapy (Amber!). Special thanks to the entire fourth floor team who took care of the “Judge” and to his friends/dining room table mates who will be greatly missed as well. 

Donations may be made to College Avenue Baptist Church McGregor, First Baptist Church of Waco, or the Alzheimer’s Association.