Donald Lewis Meredith, 80, of Grain Valley, Missouri, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2020 after a short struggle with Covid-19. A private graveside service is planned. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the KSU Foundation Donald Meredith Memorial No. M47329, 1800 Kimball Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan, KS 66502 or make a gift online at www.ksufoundation.org/give/memorials, showing fund M47329; or Alzheimer’s Association, Heart of America Chapter, 3846 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208; or American Diabetes Association, ADA, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116.
Don was born May 25, 1940 to Joe and Eulah Mae (Pfile) Meredith in Clay Center, Kansas. He grew up on the family farm and worked at the family business, the Clay Center Sale Barn, with his dad and his grandfather Pfile until he entered Kansas State University. Don graduated from Clay Center High School in 1958, where he was a first-string guard on the league champion football team and first chair trumpet in the band. It was during his time at Clay Center High that he began dating Karen Campbell. On one of their early dates, he had a flat tire, which caused him to be quite late in returning her home. Needless to say, he had some explaining to do when he did. Don continued his music education at Kansas State University, earning two degrees – Bachelor of Science in music education and Master of Music. While working on his master’s, he was assistant band director at K-State. Despite the rocky start with the flat tire, he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Campbell, on June 4, 1961 at the First Presbyterian Church in Clay Center.
While in college, he played lead trumpet in the Matt Betton Orchestra, a regional dance band of great renown at the time, which played throughout central and eastern Kansas. He also worked at the Stan Kenton Jazz clinics for several summers. The highlight of this experience was playing in Kenton’s big band each summer. In fact, he was offered a touring position in Kenton’s trumpet section once he graduated university. But, after much soul searching and discussion with other touring musicians, he decided life on the road was not for him. His calling, instead, was to teach. After graduation from K-State in 1964, Don began his teaching career at Hiawatha High School in Hiawatha, Kansas. Sons Douglas “Doug” and William “Bill” were born in Hiawatha. Doug has a fleeting but fond memory of following his dad around the marching band practice field while he laid out the lines. Don’s teaching career spanned all age levels. After Hiawatha, he went on to teach at Kearney State College (now University) in Kearney, Nebraska, followed by Topeka High School, Topeka West High School, and Shawnee Heights Middle School, all in Topeka, Kansas. His richest (and as so often happens, most frustrating) teaching experiences came from Topeka High School. During his tenure there, he integrated the stage band programs, which in the early 1970’s, were still unofficially segregated. In the process, he learned that a jazz titan, Coleman Hawkins, had attended Topeka High around 1920, which led him to hold a special concert to publicize this fact. Don led the Topeka Jazz Workshop, a jazz band and appreciation society, for several years. One of his responsibilities during this time was hosting visiting professional jazz musicians. The family has many memories of these evenings, sharing dinner with legendary individuals such as Clark Terry, Zoot Sims, Gil Evans, and Dizzy Gillespie. When not teaching or leading bands, Don was an engaged father to his sons: building pedal-car rocket ships with Doug and teaching him to play blues on keyboard and trumpet; featuring Bill’s funny duck voice in concert and helping Bill with his kart racing and other sports; and, perhaps most important, teaching them an appreciation for all kinds of music, which they would come to appreciate later in life. Don retired from teaching in 2001. Don and Karen enjoyed retirement and traveled extensively. He was a great HODAR (husband of DAR) supporting her in her DAR activities, volunteering with her at the Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, the New Generation Harvey Girls Kids’ Christmas Train, and fundraisers for the restoration of the Fred Harvey Home in Leavenworth, KS. For health reasons, in 2015 Don and Karen moved from Tonganoxie, KS to Grain Valley, MO to be closer to son Bill and family.
Don was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Karen; sons, Douglas (Roula) of Tucson, Arizona, and Bill (Teresa) of Oak Grove, Missouri; grandchildren, Sabine, Nia, and Christopher; brother, Keith Meredith of Tucson, Arizona; nephews, Kurt Meredith (Andi) and their children Samra and Moreka of Portland, Oregon, Mark Meredith and daughter Natassja of Tucson, Arizona, and Scott Meredith of Tucson, Arizona. The family would like to thank the staff at Shangri-La Rehab and Living Center for their care and dedication towards Don and all the other residents. The family would also like to thank Ascend Hospice for helping Don in his final days and being there when family could not.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441
Julie McBride Maxwell
10 Nov 2020Karen, Doug, Bill and extended family, I was so sorry to hear about your husband and Dad. I remember when both of you boys were born, and also babysat you, many years ago! I have some great memories of watching my first Color TV while babysitting at your house! It seems strange that God sent both our families to Kearney, NEB. after Hiawatha! I also remember the wonderful band performances , since I was NOT in the band. and my sister and so many friends were. I am praying that your current sadness will soon be replaced with the happy and fun memories Don made for all of you. Sincerely, Julie McBride Maxwell
Julia Mae Thompson
12 Nov 2020Karen and family,
I was so sorry to read of Don’s passing. We still live in the same house on Navajo as when you lived in Hiawatha and are still members of First Presbyterian. You would never guess how many times I have driven down our street and said to myself, “that’s where Don & Karen Meredith lived.” Praying you are comforted by God’s grace and the love of family and friends.
Sincerely,
Julia Thompson
Brian W Loy
12 Nov 2020To the Meredith family, my sincere condolences. Mr. Meredith was my middle school band instructor in the early 80’s at Shawnee Heights. He made band very enjoyable and had a way of making us want to be better. God bless you all.
Alan and Karla Billings
12 Nov 2020Bill, Teresa and family-May years of wonderful memories sustain you in the days ahead. Peace and comfort to all.
Daniel G Guzman
12 Nov 2020To the family of Mr Meredith so sorry to hear of his passing. I was his first class at Topeka High. He was a great teacher with a pasion for music. With a great sense of humor it was fun going to band first hour. He touched a lot of lives and made a difference. A life well lived sounds like a good family man. May he rest in peace.
Debra Marney
12 Nov 2020I am sorry for your loss. Mr Meredith was my band teacher at Shawnee Heights and he made it a wonderful experience
Tom and Joannie Grist
12 Nov 2020Bill, Teresa and family – please accept our sincere condolences. In this time of sorrow, remember the warmth of his smile and laughter. His spirit and genuine fortitude will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.
Kevin Broadnax
13 Nov 2020Mr Meredith started Black Stage Band at Topeka High 75-76, 76-77. “Shades of Black” He was the mastermind behind that and he lead us, even though some in 501 did not, we were good!!…He came by my house and gave me a cassette we recorded and met my family who loved him. He got me out of my shell to play a Sax solo…he loved it, I did not think I could do it but, HE KNEW. I even played in the Air Force. Every time I play my Sax I always think of him and I still play at age 60. RIP Sir and my condolences to the family….LOVED HIM and will never forget him. He had “SOUL” and was a great teacher and player….. RIP.
Jeannie Gooch Cotten
13 Nov 2020My condolences to all of you. I loved having Mr. Meredith as a band instructor and was sad when he decided to leave Shawnee Heights. He had a great impact on all his students.
Norval Ralstin
13 Nov 2020Lots of good memories about Don. He was my roommate at K-State, introduced me to a gal that became my wife and honored me by being my best man at our wedding. Don has been a true friend and has made life better by knowing him
Lonnie J Bevens II
14 Nov 2020Such sad news. He came to THS in fall of 1975 replacing Mr. Hamm in the music department. In very short time, he turned the rag drag excuse of a marching band into a more capable marching band. The concert band played better and he had good control of the stage bands. He was a great asset to the Topeka Schools music department. He was a bit tough on me at times but he taught me to persevere and move forward. I probably wouldn’t be working in the entertainment industry had it not been for his guidance in high school. R.I.P. Don Meredith.