Jesse W. T. Meadows

Jesse W. T. Meadows, formerly of Livermore, died April 13. He was 89.

Born May 2, 1925 to Jesse and Blanche Meadows, the fourth of five children, he spent his earlier years in Chicago, Illinois and Las Vegas, New Mexico. After high school he enlisted in the Navy and served his country for three years during World War II. After his time in the service, Meadows earned a master’s degree in organic chemistry from Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. It was there that he met his future wife, Anne. They were married for 64 years and spent most of their lives together in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Livermore - where he worked 28 years as a nuclear chemist for Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).

After retiring from LLNL, Meadows obtained his certification as a financial planner. He worked part-time preparing people’s taxes and advising them on financial matters. After receiving training by the IRS and State of California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), he also volunteered at the Livermore Community Center and other area senior centers, assisting seniors with their taxes and advising them on Medicare and health insurance matters.

Some of his many hobbies included jogging, dancing, sailing, hiking, reading, cross-country skiing, completing cross-word and jigsaw puzzles and playing cards. He and his wife were avid square dancers and loved to travel. They took many educational adventures, staying in elder hostels and seeing the world. Over the years they hosted exchange students from Europe and Japan, establishing long-term friendships with the students.

Meadows was a hard-working man with a strong intellectual curiosity and sense of responsibility. He had a sharp wit and lively sense of humor. He loved Southwestern food (the hotter, the better) and Native American culture.

He was devoted to his wife and family and loved organizing annual family vacations up at Lake Tahoe. They spent the last months of their life at Sierra Ridge in Auburn close to their son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Peggy Meadows. Prior to that, they were long-time residents of Livermore. While in Auburn, he enjoyed listening to music, singing and visits from his family.

Meadows was preceded in death by his loving wife, Anne, who passed away on Oct. 15, 2014 and his granddaughter, Sadie.

He is survived by his three children, Mark (Peggy), Karen (Dennis) and Stuart (Denise); four grandchildren, Kelsey, Taylor, Kyle and Austin; and brother, Robert (Josephine).

A celebration of Meadows and his wife’s lives is planned for May 17 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the Robert Livermore Community Center, Palo Verde Room, 4444 East Avenue, Livermore, California. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Alzheimer's Association - Research Center at Alz.Org. National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.