Stephen Ralph Meadows, 67, of Knightdale, NC completed his earthly journey and accompanied by a band of angels went Home to Heaven on July 10, 2018. Steve, born September 5, 1950 in Bedford, IN, was the only child of Ralph and Mildred Meadows of Mitchell, IN. After a brief courtship, on a cool summer morning, June 27, 1992 under the gazebo in Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Steve married the love of his life the former Phyllis Creef of Manteo.
After graduation from Mitchell High School, he attended business college in Louisville, KY. Steve then joined the Navy during the Vietnam era and was Honorably discharged at end of his tour of duty. Attending and graduating from Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Media and Journalism and a minor in Theater, he began a varied career of interesting avenues.
The majority of his working career, he was in sales, sales training and management. After being promoted and moving around the country he came to North Carolina in 1985 as the State Manager for Orkin. In the early 1990’s he found the career he had long desired and became a REALTOR@.
Working one successful year in real estate sales, he then became a Sales Trainer and Recruiter for HPW and the following became Broker-in-Charge for the Knightdale HPW office. His last career move made him a real estate salesperson with the Jim Allen Group (JAG), CB HPW. He was forever a JAGger and dreamed of returning one day with renewed health prayed for.
Moving to Knightdale in 1996 was a highlight as he made many friends and became very involved in the community and town. He was a member of the Knightdale Chamber of Commerce and the Knightdale Rotary Club including a term as President. During his time as President he helped institute the Rotary International Friendship Exchange.
Steve was encouraged shortly after moving to Knightdale by then Mayor Joe Bryan to join the Knightdale Town Planning Board. He was later encouraged to run for office as Town Councilman which he successfully won and served two terms. He served on several joint county wide planning committees.
However, his greatest joy was to have been a part of the formation the Knightdale Public Safety Department which integrated fire, police and rescue under one umbrella. For his efforts, the number 2 badge in the Fire Division was awarded to him when the department was completed and up and running in six months, which at onset many deemed impossible. Additionally, he is a member in good standing of the Rolesville Masonic Lodge.
A man of great heart, integrity, gentle spirit, quick humor, and a ready smile, Steve used his Christian beliefs and strong midwestern roots to guide his personal and professional life. Often he quoted, when trying to build consensus that there must be a Stephen Covey “win-win” moment. Finding, developing, teaching, training and helping others to achieve new heights was part to his daily operation.
To see others go beyond him caused him to cheer for their accomplishments with no trace of jealousy. True spirit of a servant he often quoted President Ronald Reagan “There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit”. Steve is survived by his wife Phyllis of the home; step-son Delmer Keen, Grantham; step-daughter Leslie Lewis, Zebulon; brother-in-laws: David & wife Tama Creef and Paul & wife Melinda Creef and nephews Elisha Benjamin Creef & Josiah Asher Creef – all of Manteo; life-long friend Larry & wife Francie Leonard, Mitchell, IN; special Friday night dinner and traveling buddies Gordon & Rachel Price, Selma; and the extraordinary Jack Russell rescue GracieLynn Savannah Meadows.
True Indiana, Steve loved all things racing, including winged sprint cars & Nascar, high school and college football, minor league baseball, IU basketball & Bobby Knight, Cincinnati Reds, any sport that the Wolfpack played, good music of all genres, great food and a great practical joke along with a good laugh. His step-son and nephews were as special to him as any sons could ever be and nothing pleased him more than sharing a summer evening with them at a Mudcats game and coming home to a watermelon eating contest. Many health struggles and issues have affected Steve over the past many years and the family wishes to acknowledge the care and support received through: Dr. Brett Foreman & Dr. James Stevens, Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine; Duke Raleigh Hospital; Duke Home Health; Pruitt Home Health; Liberty Home Health; and for the last leg of the journey Transitions LifeCare Hospice Home.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service with Masonic Rites will be held at 2 PM, Friday, July 13, 2018 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale with reception to follow at the funeral home. Graveside service will be held 2 PM, Monday, July 16, 2018 at Manteo Town Cemetery, Manteo with reception to follow at Mt. Olivet Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, Transitions LifeCare of Wake County or any animal rescue organization.
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