Fred C. Meekins February 2, 1929 – January 5, 2019 Frederick (Fred) Chapin Meekins, Sr. formerly of Mecklenburg County, N.C., late of Belmont, Gaston County, N.C., died on January 5, 2019, at the age of almost 90. Fred was born February 2, 1929, in Asheville, N.C., and was the second of three sons born to , William C. Meekins and Marcia Chapin Meekins. The Meekins family lived in Hendersonville, N.C. until 1938, when they moved to Asheville, N.C. Fred graduated from Christ Episcopal School, Arden, N.C., in 1945, and had one year of post-graduate study at The Choate School, Wallingford, Ct.
, in 1946. He attended UNC and in 1949-50 served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, later transferring in 1951 to the U.S. Air Force where he served as a multi-engine pilot in Korea, Japan, other South Pacific areas, and at Pope AFB, Fort Bragg, N.C. Fred married Doris Virginia Rich on February 17, 1953, at Port St. Joe, Florida, and he and Doris moved to UNC, Chapel Hill, N.C. in 1956 where Fred received his BA degree in 1957, and his LLB/JD degrees, with Honors, in 1959. Mr. Meekins was an Emeritus member of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys; a Charter member of the N.C. Association of Defense Attorneys; member of the American Bar Association; member of the 26th Judicial District Bar; and member of the Federal 4th Circuit Bar.
In Law School, he earned membership in The Order of the Coif; the Scholarship Honor Key in Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity; served on the UNC Law School Honor Council; and served as an Associate Editor of the North Carolina Law Review. Mr. Meekins served as N.C. District Judge Advocate of Civitan International, President and Club Director of Providence Civitan Club, Secretary and Board Member of Pine Lake Country Club, past member of the Charlotte City Club, and was Scottish Rite, York Rite, 32nd degree Mason and member of the Shrine. Mr. Meekins held great love for God, Church and Country, and especially for his beloved surviving wife, Doris R. Meekins, formerly from Atlanta, Georgia, and Port St. Joe, Florida, and members of his immediate family: (1) SON Frederick C. Meekins, Jr., wife, Jennifer (Jenny) Meekins, daughter Kathryn (Kate) Meekins, Whiteville, N.C.; (2) DAUGHTER Mary M. Moore and her sons, Douglas and Daniel Moore, Belmont, N.C.; (3) (SON) Ralph W. Meekins, wife, Born: February 2, 1929 Death: January 5, 2019 Loann S. Meekins, and their children: Captain Ralph William Meekins, Jr. and wife, Lyndsey W. Meekins and their children, Ransom William Meekins and Posy Warren Meekins; and daughter, Ann Chapin Meekins, Shelby, N.C.; (4) Brother, William C. Meekins, Jr., Atlanta, GA, and his family.
Mr. Meekins had a keen interest in hunting, fishing, boating, golf, and other outdoor activities, but his main hobby since 1938 was music of all kinds, especially folk, mountain ballads and bluegrass. He played blue grass instruments, but settled in mainly on the guitar, and he sang lead and harmony parts with his band. He played with several groups and bands for over 70 years.
In 1998, he and a friend formed “Southern Tradition Bluegrass Band”. This band made three professional recordings (cassettes and CD’s) and played often in many different venues all over the Southeastern United States until June, 2012. A memorial service will be held at The Episcopal Church of The Holy Comforter, 2701 Park Road, Charlotte N.C., 28209, at 10:00 o’clock AM on Friday January 11th, 2019.
Visitation with the family will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Hospice of Cleveland County at 951 Wendover Heights Pl. Shelby N.C. 28150.
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