Life Member 033 Charles (Cowboy) Meeks

It is with great sadness that we inform you that Charles "Cowboy" Meeks passed away on February 25, 2022. Cowboy was a founding member of the JCSE Veterans Association and he served as one of our 1st Vice Presidents. He also designed the JCSE-VA Colors and served on the initial committee that started the JCSE-VA Scholarship Program. Cowboy served in the JCSE from 1986 to 1995 starting out as a Detachment First Sergeant and later was a Senior NCO Planner in the Operations Divistion. His Obituary follows:

Charles “Cowboy” Meeks, 70, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, passed away on February 25, 2022, at Melech Hospice House, after a months-long illness.

At the age of 19, Charles enlisted in the Army and attained the rank of First Sergeant, retiring with 24 years of military service. He served in the Signal Corps in Panama during Operation Just Cause, in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iraq during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Provide Comfort, and at duty stations in Germany, Texas, and Florida. To round out 50 years of service to his country, Charles worked with U.S. Special Operations Command as a military contractor for another 26 years. The safety and security of military members were always paramount in his mind. Charles was born and bred in Texas and those roots ran deep. He never lost his drawl and cowboy charm despite not living there for nearly 40 years.

Charles was predeceased by his precious baby daughter, Valerie Lee; his Mom, Joyce; grandmother, Mattie Mae, and his sister, Candy. He is survived by his loving family: wife of 30 years, Kathryn; son Charles Nathaniel; daughter, Jessie Lee; stepson Ed Davis (Theresa), granddaughters Kathryn Nichole (Alex) and Valerie Elizabeth; brother, Byron (Hermie); nieces and nephew Sheila (Hans), Jennifer (Tim) and Gerry (Sandra); and his brother-in-law Phil Wrobel (Grace).

In lieu of flowers, contributions to The Arc Tampa Bay, www.thearctb.org are appreciated.

A gathering for Charles will be held Friday, March 25, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, 2323 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am.