Pastor Larry Edward Meeks Obituary (1944

Pastor Larry "Ed" Meeks was ushered into heaven unexpectedly surrounded by his family at Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital on December 6, 2019, at the age of 75. Larry is survived by his wife of 54 years, MaryAnn Meeks, two daughters, Chani & Scott Washburn, and Cheri & Monty Grange, all of Yakima, WA and a nephew-son, Charlie (Andrea) Cogburn of Salem, OR, and a special son in the Lord, Tim (Tricia) Osterholm of Spokane, WA. His grandkids include Starla (Peter) Halverson of Puyallup, WA Katie (Bobby Lee) Pottenger of Moxee, WA Desiray (Lucas) Blanchard of Yakima, WA, Randa Washburn, Evan Grange, and Anson Grange all of Yakima, WA. His great-grandchildren include Allie Smith, Isaac Halverson, Kenzie Washburn, Bentley & Paisley Blanchard, and Ava Pottenger. He is also survived by his sisters, Marge (John) Connor of Indianapolis, IN, Richard (Crystal) Meeks of Noblesville, IN, Brenda (Dan) Boone of Wichita, KS and Peggy Dewey of Wichita, KS and many brothers and sisters in-law, nephews, nieces and extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Elvin and Martha Meeks, and brother Robert Meeks. Larry was born in Windfall, Indiana to Elvin Tommy and Martha Meeks, May 18, 1944. He was one of six children and was extremely close with his family. He grew up a true country boy and loved his childhood years spent on the farm. He had a large extended family with many aunts, uncles, and cousins, and he was especially close with his Grandpa Meeks. When Larry was 12 years old, his family moved out west so his parents could pastor a church in Yakima. While in high school, his family moved to Wentachee, and later to Clarkston, WA where he graduated high school. Larry already had a love for nature as a boy, but when he moved to the Northwest he fell in love with the great outdoors. He was given his first fishing pole in his teen years, and hes been fishing ever since. As an avid hunter and fisherman, he gained many lifelong friends who spent hours together packing horses into hunting camp, telling stories around the campfire or woodstove in the wall tent, hiking through countless hills and valleys, and trolling a lake or river in his boat. Some of his closest hunting and fishing buddies were his brother Bob and his dad Tommy, Wayne Hand, Dick Carlson, Andy Ford, Harley Dyck, Myrv Koenig, John Connor, Bill Beatty, Jeff Kuhlmann, Charlie Cogburn, along with countless others that he loved dearly. As his own family grew he made sure that his sons-in-law, nephews and grandkids all knew how to set up camp, gut and pack a deer, and hold a fishing rod. Larry enjoyed volunteering his time at Oak Creek, feeding the elk and driving visitors out to get a closer look. Larry graduated from Bartlesville Wesleyan College (now Oklahoma Wesleyan University) in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1967. During his college days, Larry learned to cut meat, which became a trade that would allow him to be a bi-vocational pastor. While in college, Larry met the love of his life, MaryAnn Thompson. They were married in Portland, OR, in 1965, and are the greatest example of "the two shall become one." Once they were settled in Yakima, Chani Lynne was born June 12, 1969. Four years later, Cheri Lee was born July 3, 1973. Larry took great pride in his daughters. The love he bestowed upon them was the foundation for their one-of-a-kind sisterhood, founded on faith. Chani and Cheri revered their dad. He taught them the true meaning of grace, unconditional love, and servanthood. Every friend the girls brought home was considered family. In addition, MaryAnn and Larry opened their home to foster kids and childcare for several years. As a result, Larry had many adopted children and he was Papa Larry to many. He loved them all deeply. Larry never forgot his farm roots. He and MaryAnn built a small farm in East Valley. He raised several head of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses and acres of alfalfa over the years. Although it was simple and rustic, the farm provided the perfect setting for countless and priceless memories. He even converted his city slicker sons-in-law to makeshift ranch hands. As well as farming, Larry worked full-time as a meat cutter in wholesale and retail. He spent most of his career as a market manager and retired from the industry in 2000. He wasnt retired long when he began to fill in for Fred Meyer meat departments in the valley. He enjoyed staying active and teasing the younger guys until a shoulder injury forced permanent retirement in 2018. Most importantly, Larry was a fisher of men. His life was devoted to serving God and loving people. It didnt matter the age or background, he had a way of connecting with others and building special relationships. When Larry graduated college, he and MaryAnn moved to Spokane, WA, in 1967 to begin their lifelong ministry together as the pastor of a small church. After a short time, they were called to pastor the First Wesleyan Church in Yakima, WA, and served there for 20 years. He then served as Assistant Pastor at Union Gap Nazarene. After those two years, he had the privilege of seeing a God-given dream realized and helped build Spirit Alive Wesleyan Church in Terrace Heights. He pastored there from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. Although he was no longer a senior pastor, his ministry didnt end. He continued mentoring and serving at Heights Church (East Valley Foursquare) and East Valley Reformed. Whether it be starting Young Life in East Valley or loving on Papas many kids, buying cattle at a feedlot in Toppenish or bucking hay, watching the Zags or rooting for the Mariners, eating breakfast at Dennys or sipping coffee at Sharis with Marvin Breshears, working behind the meat counter or fishing in a boat, whether telling stories and jokes or eating chocolate chip cookies and coconut cream pie, singing in Spirit Alive Five quartet or working the mess hall at youth camp, cheering on the grandkids or travelling with friends and loved ones... loving God and loving people was the very nature of his existence. For 50 plus years, Larry and MaryAnn ministered to countless lives in the valley, and had a reach as far as Africa. His legacy will continue to reach far and wide. In his words, "The most important thing in life is to die and go to heaven, and take as many with you as possible." A Celebration Of Life will be held Saturday, January 18, 2020, at 1:00PM at Yakima Foursquare Church (700 N 40th Ave, Yakima). Larry was a fanatic supporter of introducing young people to Christ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Yakima Valley Young Life, in his honor, and can be sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family. This would bring him great joy. Family would like to give a special note of gratitude to the East Valley firefighters and paramedics, and the Virginia Mason Memorial ER team, who acted so swiftly and with compassion. Michelle, Blain and Dr. Menon in ICU, and Dr. Pham and Dr. Kumar, thank you for your tireless work. Celebration of Life Yakima Foursquare Church Saturday, January 18, 2020 1:00 PM 700 N 40th Ave Yakima, WA 98908