Memorial services for former Willow Springs Bear & Thayer Bobcat Football Coach, John David Meek, Age 94 of Clinton, Arkansas will be at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas with Bro. Brandon Martin officiating. Visitation will be 12:00 P.M. until time of service on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Arrangements are under the direction of Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas.
John David (Coach) Meek, 94, of Thayer Missouri went to be with the Lord on Wednesday November 26, 2025 in Clinton, AR; he was born April 18, 1931. David was adopted from the infamous Tennessee Children’s Home Society before his first birthday by John and Olympia Meek in Marvell AR. He was united in marriage to Sara Jane Barbee in 1956 and to this union they had four children.
Coach Meek grew up happy in Marvell AR. Some of his favorite childhood memories were running the roads with his best friend Buddy Dulaney. At age 16, he accepted Jesus into his heart during a local tent revival. David graduated in 1949 from Marvell High School. He attended his 1st year of college to Arkansas College in Batesville and after one year transferred to ASTC in Conway, AR. He was a 3 year letterman on the track team at ASTC. Coach Meek always knew he wanted to be a football coach. He received his BSE in Education from ASTC in 1954 and later his MSE from ASU in 1968.
David coached in Thayer 1954-1956. In 1955 Thayer had an undefeated season. From Thayer, he went to Flat River MO. from 1957-1961. After 5 successful seasons he moved to be the head football coach in Willow Springs Mo. He coached in Willow Springs until 1967 after which he moved to Paragould AR He was an assistant football coach in Paragould until 1973. He then moved to Mtn Grove Mo from 1974-1975. In 1975 Coach Meek was offered the opportunity to help the people of Salem AR start its first football program as head coach. He coached in Salem until 1981, after that he spent 1 year at Bald Knob AR and Cabool Mo, respectively.
In 1983, Coach Meek had the opportunity to return to Thayer MO, where he would coach until he retired in 1999. He guided the Bobcats to a 10-1 season in 1990 earning Missouri High School Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Missouri High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. After retirement he was not done. After setting out one season and bored to death he went to Osceola AR. to assist his old friend Clinton Gore from 2001-2011 and in Melbourne along with Coach Gore 2012-2015.
In 2016, he came back to coach where he had started many years ago and truly the, place he loved , Thayer MO. along with his good friend and head coach Billy Webber until 2016, where at the age of 91 he was still on the sidelines on Fridays and at practice in the heat of the summers and making those long trips on Friday nights. He loved every minute of it. In the end, Coach Meek spent 69 years on the sidelines.
Coach Meeks’ love of the game was unmatched, he truly lived and breathed football. He was always willing to talk with young coaches to help them learn but more than that wanted to learn from them. The most important thing to Coach Meek was his relationship with the players and coaches. He taught kids to play hard, be tough, and respect the game like he did. He felt football could teach us so many things about life, and it does.
Coach Meek is survived by 4 children Teahna Mooney of Mansfield Mo., Terrie Meek of Mansfield Mo. Danny Meek of Little Rock and Brett Meek (Laura) of Bee Branch Ar. 10 grandchildren Tia York of Salem Ar., Derek Mooney of Okinawa Japan, Hollie Seal of Eureka Springs Ar. Lacie Meek of Little Rock Ar., Mikala Dixon of Little Rock Ar. Jason Meek of Agnes Ar., Shelley Meek of Jacksonville Ar., Mallory Woody of Atlanta Ga., and Kayli Meek, Logan Robinson, and Pryce Meek of Bee Branch, Ar. 10 Great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
David was a true Southern gentleman; always quick to call someone “Ma’am,” or “Sir” and taught his kids to do the same. He loved to laugh and truly enjoyed life to the fullest, forging many life-long relationships. Coach Meek was an eclectic lover of music, everything from Merle Haggard to Pete Fountain. Even as Coach’s memory was fading, he could still recognize his favorite tunes like “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Silver Wings.”
The family would like to thank Ozark Health Nursing Center in Clinton Ar. for the wonderful care they gave to Coach Meek was unbelievable. There was never any doubt that everyone at the facility loved “Coach”.
Until we meet again, Dad, “Go Careful.”
Honorary Pallbearers Include: Tuffy Smith, Eldon Hawley, Mike Gleghorn, Matt Pitts, Cliff Hawkins, Billy Webber, and Steve Atkinson.
