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.