Wade H. Meadows

Wade H. Meadows, Jr., 91, died Friday, March 29, 2013 in Abilene at his residence. Born in Abilene, Texas on September 17, 1921, Wade was the son of Inez (Huddleston) and Wade Hampton Meadows, Sr. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1938 and credited his later success in the business field to the experience he gained as business manager of The Battery, a high school publication, and two journalism teachers under whom he studied. In 1942, Wade graduated from the University of Texas with a BS degree in Pharmacy and returned home to accept a position as a registered pharmacist. In September of 1942 Wade enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp to train as an air cadet. On January 27, 1943 he reported to Boca Raton, Florida for basic military training. Wade took a special course in photography and became a specialized photographic officer. After being commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1943 while studying at Yale, he served at several bases prior to deploying to England in April 1944, where he became attached to the Royal Air Force at Nuneham Park, an air intelligence school at Oxford University (now the center of British intelligence photography). His unit was in close contact with the Allied troops as they advanced across France, Belgium and into Germany. This unit was the first Air Force unit to operate from German soil, and in February 1945 the unit became the 363rd Photo Reconnaissance Group. First Lt. Meadows was a member of the Photo Reconnaissance squadron which received the presidential citation “for extraordinary performance of duty in action against the enemy during the month of May 1944.” His organization had been charged with the heavy responsibility of furnishing vitally important photographs of the beaches on the continent upon which the Allied forces subsequently landed on June 6, 1944. The photographs were taken from low flying aircraft, sometimes at an altitude of 25 feet, in the face of intense fire from some of the strongest anti-aircraft installations in Western Europe. Wade returned from the European Theater of Operations in 1945, having achieved the rank of Captain receiving recognition and many honors before being honorably discharged. Wade began working in another drug store and later worked out of El Paso as a medical representative of Eli Lilly & Co. A pharmacist and photo specialist, he was recalled to serve in the Air Force in April 1951, reporting to duty at Ellsworth AFB, a post he served until stricken by polio in August 1952. He received treatment at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver until 1954 and was once again honorably discharged to return home to Texas. Wade devoted his time to continued expansions of his medical center at 1325 Hickory in Abilene, which became Meadows Medical Center. He had many friends and was instrumental in the philanthropy of many local businesses and endeavors. Wade was a member of Highland Church of Christ. He was predeceased by his parents, Wade and Inez Meadows, many close friends and family. He is survived by numerous cousins. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 1, in Elmwood Memorial Park with Scott Miller officiating, under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be his caregivers for the last 35 years: Johnny and Karen Rhone, David Rhone, John David Allen and Kenneth Allen. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Highland Church of Christ Mission Fund or Hendrick Hospice Care.