Otis Victor Meeks Jr.
Otis Victor Meeks Jr., age 63, of Munson Township, died suddenly on Jan. 2, 2025, at his home from complications of Multiple Sclerosis.
He was born on Sept. 10, 1961, in Cleveland, to Otis V. and Joann F. (nee Suhy) Meeks Sr.
Otis spent his youth in Chardon, attending St. Mary’s elementary school, then graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in 1979. He carried his strong Catholic upbringing and faith throughout his life.
Otis joined the U.S. Army on July 1, 1980, and was honorably discharged as a SFC on July 31, 2004. He had an extraordinary career in the Army, earning many distinctions including:
Army Special Forces Tab, 18 C Special Forces Engineer, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with one Bronze service star, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Israeli Defense Force Parachutist Badge and Special Forces Badge.
Otis married Deborah on Aug. 18, 1992, in Dillon, S.C. After his honorable discharge in 2004, he and Debbie moved to Montana, returning to Chardon in September of 2011.
Otis had many interests during his life. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts, something he shared with his brother Tom and his dad. He was always happy to be outdoors, many evenings were spent around a campfire, or “Ranger TV” as he called it.
He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and loved working on his Harley and riding with his veteran’s club. He was a craftsman, making furniture by hand while in Germany. He had a keen sense of looking at a challenge and creating a solution out of the tools at his disposal, e.g., a tailpipe out of soda cans. He loved his dogs, and they were his constant companions. He enjoyed NASCAR and attended races with his family.
Of his many accomplishments and interests, at his core he was a strong, quiet man, always humble, never boastful, who loved his family and served his country faithfully.
Survivors include his wife, Deborah Meeks, of Munson; son, Otis V. (Kim) Meeks III, of Wallace, S.C.; daughter, Samantha (Daniel) Downing, of Pinehurst, N.C.; stepson, C.J. Moss, of Chicago, Ill; grandchildren, Otis V. Meeks IV, of Wallace, S.C., Karalina I. Meeks, of Wallace, S.C., Korrie I. Meeks, of Wallace, S.C., Reagan J. Downing, of Pinehurst, N.C., and Noah B. Downing, of Pinehurst, N.C.; mother, Joann Meeks, of Lemont Furnace, Pa.; father, Otis V. Meeks Sr., of Pelham, Tenn.; brothers, Thomas (Denise) Meeks, of Highland Heights, and Michael (Amie) Meeks, of Southern Pines, S.C.; sisters, Debbie (Novie) Wikerson, of Junction City, Kan., Susan Meeks, of Chardon, Kathleen Nicholson, of Newbury Township, Christine Meeks, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and Mary Meeks, of Granby, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews.
The family received friends Jan. 13, 2025, at Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 116 South St., Chardon, preceding the funeral mass at Divine Word Catholic Church, 8100 Eagle Road, Kirtland, on Jan. 14, 2025, followed by Military Honors.
Mass at St Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 17, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
Interment will follow at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville, Pa., at 1 p.m. on Jan. 17.
Floral arrangements are appropriate, or donations to any military/disabled veteran organization of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com.
