Delbert Ray (Deb) Meier, age 76, passed away peacefully at his home in Bishop on October 19, 2019, after a short illness. He was born October 16, 1943, in Lincoln, Kansas, to Oscar and FronaKasiska Meier. He was baptized as an infant, confirmed as a youth, and remained a Lutheran throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lyle, Marvin, and Donald, brothers-in-law Wayne Miller, Eugene Bickel, and sister-in-law Margaret Meier. He is survived by his soul mate and wife of almost 55 years Janice Meier, his beloved children Mark (Cindy) Meier of Bishop, and Teri (Rick) Zema of Calallen, his adored grandchildren Allison Meier of Kingsville, Elizabeth Meier of Round Rock, and Ethan Zema of Corpus Christi; sisters Wanda Miller of Hays, KS, and Evelyn Bickel of Brentwood, MO., brothers Gerald (Barbara) and Larry (Sonya) Meier of Beloit, KS, Harold (Konnie) Meier of Arizona City, AZ, and Steve (Suzanne) Meier of Lincoln, KS., sister-in-law Marilyn Meier of Arlington, KS, and many nephews and nieces, cherished friends and neighbors, and his (and only his) pet cat, Lexi.
As a youth, he loved playing baseball with his brothers and on a team in Lincoln, and told stories about the ballgames and about his work in a restaurant in Lincoln where he waited tables and learned to bake chocolate cakes. He also worked on missile silos in the area.
He served in the US Navy from 1964 to 1967. He met his future wife Jan while stationed at NAS Kingsville. Her parents liked him immediately, a response that was somewhat influenced by the fact that he was Lutheran! Even their elopement and marriage (on December 24, 1964) did not alter their affection for him. After ‘joining’ her family and becoming a Texan, he also joined her dad in becoming a Cowboys fan and an avid deer hunter.
He was a Viet Nam veteran, serving with the Navy Seabees of MCB 11 at Danang and at Dong Ha near the Demilitarized Zone. After his military service, he worked at ARADMAC as a helicopter mechanic helper and NAS Kingsville, where he retired in 1996 after working as a firefighter, equipment repairman for the Recreation Department, and mechanic in the Public Works Department.
He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement and loved being at home. When asked if he wanted to travel, he’d say he was taking Jan on a cruise…..down 14th Street. Travel was not important to either of them, since their greatest pleasure was being at home where they enjoyed being with each other and with family and friends. Though he never joined in their card games, he loved the circle of friends that met at his house for ‘Phase 10’, a group he called the ‘widows plus one’ (since Jan was the only one who wasn’t a widow).
He was known for his sense of humor, his lack of political correctness, and his unique and ‘colorful ‘descriptions (“Deb-isms”).
Since he disliked formal occasions and was rarely seen wearing anything other than T-shirts and shorts or (if absolutely necessary) jeans, a casual-dress (come as you are) memorial service with military honors will be held Saturday, October 26, at 10:30 AM at St. John Lutheran Church in Bishop, where he was a member for over 50 years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, 301 E. Main, Bishop, TX 78343 or Bishop Cemetery Association, PO Box 142, Bishop, TX 78343.
Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary; 2061 E. Main St., Alice, Texas.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com and shared via Holmgreen Mortuary Facebook.
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