Dec. 10--Eddy Meador, 54, spent the majority of his life serving the people of Pattonsburg, Mo. He died Saturday at a hospital in Trenton, Mo., shortly after running several emergency calls with the Pattonsburg Fire and Rescue Protection District, where he worked for 35 years.
Fellow firefighter Angela Jones said Mr. Meador, who was fire chief for the last 12 years, was also the superintendent of the water department in Pattonsburg and wore many hats for the city.
"He was a very wonderful, caring and giving man," she said. "He was always there for his community."
According to a statement from the district, the death is being considered a "line of duty death," and that Mr. Meador "died of an apparent heart attack, having run several emergency calls in the prior 24 hours."
Ms. Jones said Mr. Meador will receive full firefighter honors at his funeral, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church in Pattonsburg. The visitation is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Robertson Funeral Home in Pattonsburg.
The Pattonsburg Fire and Rescue Protection District has 30 volunteer firefighters. Ms. Jones said they were all rallying around one another to mourn amongst themselves and with the family of Mr. Meador.
"We want time for the fire department and the family to mourn," Ms. Jones said.
Mr. Meador is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Jimmy Myers can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @SJNPMyers.
Copyright 2012 - St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
