Richard Harold Meigs of Passumpsic passed away peacefully Friday,
May 11, 2007, at The Pines in Lyndon with his entire family lovingly by his
side. He was 80. He was born in St. Johnsbury on Christmas Day, 1926,
one of five children born to Robert and Virginia (Montgomery) Meigs. He
was raised by his sister Gertrude. A World War II veteran, Richard served
in the U.S. Navy 1944-1946 as a machinist mate and spent time in Guam.
On Aug. 3, 1946, he married Florence Buxton. They had four children. Dick
began his career in the dairy business with Cabot Creamery followed by 43
years with Kilfasset Farms Dairy/Billings Dairy/Idlenot Dairy. He retired
reluctantly in 1989. He actually began his working career at the age of 12
with Chesney's coal truck. Richard was a lifetime member of both VFW
Post 793 and American Legion Post 58 and was a faithful supporter of
veterans and patriotic affairs. He left St. Johnsbury Trade School at the age
of 17 to join the Navy, not having been forthright about his age. St.
Johnsbury Academy awarded him his honorary diploma in 2005. The word
retirement was not in Dick's vocabulary. He spent the last 18 years as a
driver for the L & T auto group. He thoroughly enjoyed the special
friendships made at the dealerships and auctions. This career reluctantly
ended in 2006 as result of vision difficulties. Richard had a great sense of
humor and kept people around him smiling, a trait he passed on to his
grandchildren. He loved his family around him. The little ones brought
brightness to his eyes and a smile to his face. Even while ill, he managed
to make the health care professionals smile. Richard was predeceased by
his son, Ray 'Tim' Meigs, in 1969; sisters Gertrude Mackay and Ruth
Granger, both in 1989; his brothers, Robert Meigs in 1963 and Carlyle
Weston in 1980; a special nephew, Bobby Meigs in 1996; and niece Muriel
Taylor in 2006. And let us not forget his beautiful bulldog Brutus. He leaves
his devoted wife of over 60 years, Florence (162 Town Forest Road, St.
Johnsbury, VT 05819); his daughters, Ruth York and husband, Norman, of
Lyndonville, Carol Labounty and husband, Dwayne, of St. Johnsbury, and
Nancy Young of South Wheelock; 14 grandchildren, Chauncey, Brian, and
Karen, Charles, Laura, Tim, Katrina, Merton, Theresa, Jennifer, and
Michael, Staci, Ginger and Adam; 26 (plus!) great-grandchildren; and many
special nieces, nephews, and friends. Visiting hours will be held at the
Sayles Funeral Home Monday 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held
Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Passumpsic Community Baptist Church. Pastor
Steven Clark will be the officiant. Burial with military honors will follow at the
Passumpsic Cemetery. Memorial contributions could be directed to the
Passumpsic Community Baptist Church., P.O. Box 126, Passumpsic, VT 05861.
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