Gerard Meacham Obituary

Gerard Stewart Meacham, that was his baptismal name; however, his friends called him Gerry. A beloved husband, U.S. Patriot, highly intelligent, hopeful romantic and enthusiast for life, left this world on January 19, 2011. Gerry was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, moved at the age of four to New York. Attended NYU and always considered New York home. Along with the guidance and loving care of his mother, Emily Sherman Meacham. Gerry's life was also greatly influenced by his doting "Auntie" and "Uncle" (his mothers sister and husband) with whom they lived for many years. Gerry entered military service on February 11, 1941 as a member of the 201st Infantry Regiment, National Guard of New York City, stationed at Camp Stewart, Georgia. Subsequent to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor he was selected for the Army Air Corp aviation cadet pilot training program. On January 3, 1943 he graduated from the pilot training program at Luke Field, Phoenix, Arizona, receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps and the coveted pilots' silver wings. After an abbreviated P-40 fighter transition course at Sarasota, Florida, he was airlifted to El Kabrit, Egypt, where he honed his fighter aircraft skills while awaiting assignment to a combat fighter group. Then, in February 1943, he reported to the 66th Fighter Squadron of the 57th Fighter Group in the North African Desert, where the British 8th Army and the Royal Air Force were battling the German Army and the Luftwaffe, (The German Air Force), under the command of General Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox. Gerry's unit was assigned the task of "close support" for the infantry and tank corps of the British 8th Army, which translated to dive bombing and strafing missions. During the balance of 1943 into 1944 his fighter group was employed through the North African desert, the islands of Malta and Sicily, and up into the boot and mainland of Italy, where the group retired its venerable P-40 aircraft and upgraded to the P-47 Republic Thunderbolt. It was in the summer of 1944, after completing 117 combat missions, that Gerry was rotated back to the United States. From 1944 until his retirement in 1963 which was prompted by personal family obligations, he served at various stateside bases and completed two key overseas assignments - Nouasseur Air Base, Casablanca, Morocco and Chateaureux Air Station, France. Although he was an active pilot throughout his entire career, he specialized in Logistics; his last position being as Support System Manager for two classified electronics surveillance programs. Over his Army Air Corps/US Air Force career, Gerry was awarded the Air Medal with 5 Oak Lead Clusters and 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. Gerry was a man of great passions. His life's great love was his wife June Frances Steele, whom he married on May 25, 2005, and with whom he resided in Colorado Springs until his passing. He often said that the years he shared with June were the happiest of his life. His favorite phrase to June was - "Je t' adore avec tout mon coeur!", (roughly, I adore you with all my heart"). Gerry, with a beautiful singing voice of his own, was also an aficionado of fine music, to include that of favorite musicians and crooners such as Stan Getz and Frank Sinatra. High among his fondest moments were those with his pet dogs. He leaves Siegfreid, a Dachshund, his current 'best friend', with June for her companionship. Gerry loved good humor and was big fan of Jerry Seinfeld, which also provided gift idea opportunities for family to provide. And, Gerry was a great fan of the New York Yankees, normally wearing the NY baseball cap which always prompted enthusiastic conversations wherever he went; restaurants, grocery stores and all. He was wearing one of his many NY ball caps as he said goodbye. Gerry is survived by his wife, June Steele Meacham. He was an only child and had no children of his own, so he became an important part of his newly acquired family and their many interests and activities. He is also survived by Junes' son, Nick Steele, Jr. and wife Barbara, of Haymarket, Virginia and Junes' daughter, Amy Jo O'Dair and husband, Michael, of Colorado Springs. There are 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Gerry and I were so fortunate to have Amy's constant help after Gerry's fall at the end of September. She was truly our "Guardian Angel". She drove us to Dr. appts, many tests, and procedures, the late day and into the night trip to the emergency room, followed by the 4 day stay at the hospital. Then came his move to the nursing home for what we thought would be a short term rehabilitation stay. None of the Dr's ever found the origin of the severe pain and trauma nor was he able to regain the unbelievable strength and health he possessed prior to the fall and the things that happened afterwards and we lost him Wednesday, January 19, 2011. We thank everyone who helped him and especially those who cared throughout those 3 1/2 months. He was much loved and missing him so much is tough. Gerry will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC in the near future. There will be a celebration of his life to follow for family and friends. As in life his charity would be his beloved animals, especially Dachshunds. The Human Society Of The Pikes Peak Region 610 Abbott Lane Colorado Springs, CO 80905