Heber Jesse Meeks, 90, passed away peacefully of natural causes on the morning of August 3, 2024. Our family deeply mourns his passing, but we are eager to share and celebrate the larger-than-life character that was our dad.

Heber was born in Kanab, UT on December 1, 1933 to Dalton "Dot" Meeks and Mary Ann "Anna" Robinson. Heber lived a humble, bright, and free childhood in the hills surrounding Kanab where he and his buddies would swipe orchard apples, take dips in the local reservoir, and get into all sorts of good clean trouble that Heber loved to reminisce about. He was a storyteller and our family treasures all of his cowboy tales.

Following his graduation from Kanab High School, Heber was offered a football and track scholarship at the College of Southern Utah in Cedar City. After just one quarter, he was drafted into the army during the Korean War. Heber served for two years in the Aircraft, Engine, and Pilot program at Gary Air Force Base in Texas. He was a proud veteran and had a strong love for his country.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, Heber returned to Cedar City and resumed college. Very soon after, he met the beautiful Barbara Lee Smith at a college basketball game. She was wearing a lovely buckskin leather coat that really caught his eye. He was taken with her immediately and luckily she felt the same way. They were married in 1956 and Heber felt that this was, "the beginning of an eternal romance," and Barbara remained his dream girl for the rest of his life. He was very close to Barbara's parents, Keith and Muriel Smith, and loved and cared for them like a son would.

One of the most important things in Heber's life was his faith. He was born into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was a humble steward to that faith all his life. Heber came from pioneer roots, and his incredible work ethic and morals would have made his ancestors proud. He served the Church in so many capacities–branch president, bishop, high council, temple worker, and missionary, just to name a few. He had the heart of a true servant and was always looking for opportunities to serve or care for those in need. When there was difficult work to be done, he never hesitated to help without being asked. He just did the thing that needed to be done, rather than talking about it.

Heber worked hard to put himself through college and to provide for his wife and family. He graduated from the College of Southern Utah with a bachelor's degree and a teaching certificate. He began his career teaching 4th grade at the East and North Elementary schools in Cedar City.

Seeking better job opportunities, Heber and Barbara made the move to California. This was a practical move, as they had begun raising their young family. It's hard to express just what kind of father Heber was, but we can sum it up with–he was the perfect Dad for us. He was loving but firm when he needed to be. He juggled long hours in an intense career, but also made sure to stir the lumps out of the pitcher of powdered milk he made for us each morning! He was never too busy to hear about our pains and concerns, and his counsel often relied on examples of his own growth and tales from his childhood. He was wise enough to understand that his kids needed to forge their own paths in life and he supported their dreams whatever way he could.

Heber was a fun Dad–he liked to make homemade root beer as his father had taught him, loved hunting on Barbara's family land on Cedar Mountain, and when it was time to wake up for chores or school, you could count on Dad to put his foot on the corner of your bed and shake you awake while singing "O How I Hate to Get Up in The Morning" at the top of his lungs. Dad loved a good chili relleno and a cold root beer as long as it was not Barq's! He was always on the lookout for the perfect apple fritter, one that was more apple than fritter. Dad had a great sense of humor and always brought the fun to the party. He was a good sport when the family cars constantly broke down, and we remember Dad as our fearless and constant protector. He worked himself hard to provide for his children and wife, and we know this was how he showed his love for us. Dad reveled in his role and said, "My life would be sad and dreary had I not been able to have the family I have," and he thanked his Heavenly Father for the opportunity to have his children. His family was everything to him, and we feel unspeakably lucky to have had him as our Dad.

Heber taught school in Borrego Springs and Poway, California before moving into administration in Monterey Park and later settling in Arcadia. Heber began as the Principal at Brightwood Elementary in the Alhambra City School District. This was a large and diverse district, where Heber was able to flourish in his career, eventually becoming Superintendent until his retirement. Heber excelled in administration. He mentored hundreds of teachers over the years, and nurtured, challenged, and protected his employees and students. He was a popular figure in the school system, and was immensely proud of the ways he improved outcomes in his district. Amongst many achievements, Heber worked hard to expand adult education, develop bilingual programs, and open the community Head Start program. He implemented programming for special education, music and arts, and for pregnant minors to be able to stay in school. He worked tirelessly to better the lives of his students and his employees.

Heber and Barbara moved to St. George in Southern Utah after his retirement in 1995. They spent many happy years there, with good friends and plenty of pets of all sizes and types–so many horses, chickens, cats, and dogs. Heber was able to have more time at the ranch on Cedar Mountain, where he built a large and comfortable cabin so his family could enjoy the land he loved so much. He had afew projects ready to go for the cabin at the time of his death. He often said that his biggest fear in life was dying without a project.

In their retirement, Heber and Barbara traveled the world and also faithfully served two missions for the Church–first a service mission at the Employment Center in St. George, and the second in Johannesburg, South Africa. Heber said, "This was one of the best experiences of my life," and he felt an incredible love for the people of South Africa.

Heber's remaining earthly family consists of his loving eternal companion, Barbara, who has spent the past 68 years by his side as workmate, wife, and best friend. He is also survived by three siblings, Ray Meeks, Dot Meeks and Glenda Nelson. His children were his world. Heber said his oldest daughter Muriel (John) Brinkerhoff "has always been a sweet and loving daughter and I love her very much." Sharee (Donald) Laidlaw "has always shown us the greatest of love and appreciation and I love her very much for the good person she is." His pride in Derek (Lisa) Meeks was obvious to all, and Dad considered him not just his son but also a friend who "brought much love and joy into my life." He thanked the Lord for giving him his daughter Jennifer (John) Ballard, and felt particular gratitude that she "loves and cares for her Mother and me and expresses that love in so many ways."

He was preceded in death by so many loved ones including his mother, father, grandfather, and his sisters Colleen, AnnaLee, Laura, Ada and Marie. However, no death was as painful as that of his precious son, Jesse, who died unexpectedly at the age of 44. Heber said this loss "left a deep scar on my heart and I miss him more than I can tell." Our family rejoices in the sure knowledge that Dad and Jesse are together now in the afterlife, and that their long and aching separation has ended. We love to think that many of Dad's dogs and horses were there to greet him, and hope that they are all helping him and Jess hunt down a big buck on his beloved Mountain right now.

Heber and Barbara were blessed with a wealth of posterity: five beautiful children and 20 grandchildren who all adored him, his pre-Thanksgiving turkey chases, and his wild cowboy tales. He also leaves 14 great-grandchildren, with more on the way. We will delight in passing on the stories told by and about Heber to them.

Our family has planned a Celebration of our Dad's Life on Saturday, August 10, 2024. The family will receive visitors at 10:00 am, and the funeral will commence at 11:00 am in the Murray 25th Ward Building located at 160 East 4600 South Murray, Utah 84107.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cedar City Cemetery in Cedar City, Utah.

We are very grateful to those who supported Dad and our family during the last year, especially Dad's Symbii hospice nurse Lori Mills and social worker Teresa Snow, who helped to make Dad's remaining time on earth as pain-free and peaceful as possible. For this, we are more grateful than we can say.

To our beloved Heber–husband, Dad, grandpa, great gramps, and friend, we say: Happy trails to you, until we meet again!

Please view the funeral service by visiting the following link:

Heber Meeks Livestream Service