Donald Ray Meador

Decatur ~ Donald Ray Meador, 73, went to be with our Lord Friday, June 14th, 2024.

Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur with burial at Sweetwater Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Donald was born January 23rd, 1951 to Floyd and Margaret (Caraway) Meador in Decatur, Texas. He was united in marriage February 13th, 1970 to Barbara Pannell in Decatur, Texas. Donald graduated Decatur High School and was retired from Peterbilt after 30 years. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to many who will miss him dearly.

Donald and Barbara started their dreams in 1968, when Donald showed her a piece of land he wanted to buy.  He bought that land directly when he was a junior in high school and they lived their life there together.  They built their dream piece by piece through hard work, perseverance and a whole lot of loving and dancing in the kitchen.  A quiet man, but a man with vision for what he wanted for their life.  He was happy to stay in Wise County raising kids, running cattle, baling hay and spending time with his family. He was a tough man, an unbelievably strong man who always jumped in to help wherever it was needed for his family, his friends and neighbors.   Some of his favorite times were those spent with family and friends at gatherings like Easter Gathering, fall weenie roast, roping’s and the Meador Family Reunion.  He loved the Wise County Cowboy Church and was happy to help it grow welcoming all he met to attend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Margaret Meador; 7 brothers and sisters.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Barbara Meador of Decatur; his son, Donald Wayne Meador and wife Leeanna of Tipton, Missouri; his daughter, Amber Tolle and husband Mike of Sanger; 3 grandchildren, Shalynn Meador, Natalie and Joe Tolle; his brother, Roy Meador; countless nieces, nephews and a host of friends.