December 8, 1931 – June 14, 2023

James Stanley Meadows passed from this world on June 14th, 2023, at the age of 91. James was born December 8th, 1931, in Barren County Kentucky, the first of four children to Faunys and Mary Sue Meadows.

When he was nine, James’ mother became ill and was isolated in a tuberculosis hospital. His father was a truck driver and being constantly on the road made it impossible for him to care for the children. The young boy was separated from his siblings and placed into the care of an elderly widow, Irma Coffman. He chose to call her grandmother and would continue to live with her through his high school years.

He excelled in both academics and sports. He set a mid-state record that stood for ten years with a four minute forty second mile and was inducted into the Brownsburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame. This led to a scholarship at Indiana State University. He attended for one year before enlisting in the Air Force and serving on active duty during the Korean War.

When he returned from Korea, he was stationed in Duncanville, Texas. He met Juanice Davis when he attended a girls basketball tournament with a group of soldiers. They eventually married and remained together for over sixty-four years, until she passed on November 20, 2020.

The couple attended East Texas State College where James completed a math degree in two and a half years by taking a heavy course load during both the regular school year and summer sessions. After graduation they accepted teaching positions at Rockwell High School.

In 1958 James accepted a position at Alvin Junior College as Chairman of the Math Department, a position he committed to for two years, planning to move back to the Dallas area. Over forty years later he retired as Dean of the college, having also served as Associate Dean, Director of Humanities and Chairman of Math and Science. He was a key player in the growth and transition of Alvin Junior College into Alvin Community College and his influence spread over many departments. He was especially proud of helping pioneer their Nursing Program.

He served as Secretary, Vice President, and President of the Texas Junior College Teachers Association and was instrumental in lobbying the Texas legislature resulting in many improvements to the state’s education systems. James was one of the first two teachers in the nation to begin teaching classes inside a maximum-security prison. This pilot program developed into a permanent operation that has benefited thousands of inmates.

Determined to provide the best possible livelihood for his family he worked tirelessly outside his formal career, painting houses and teaching part-time at other area colleges. He served as a Deacon at South Park Baptist Church where he was a member for over 60 Years. He loved fishing and playing cards and dominoes.

He is preceded in death by his wife Juanice, his parents Faunys and Mary Sue Meadows, his foster mother Irma Coffman, and sister Elaine McGuire. He is survived by his sister Shirley Greer, brother Billy Dean, his sons Stan and Devin, daughter-in-law Sun, grandsons Dustin and Damon, and great grandchildren Kayla, Cooper and Liliana.

Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with the family on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Tx. (281) 992-7200.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at South Park Baptist Church, 1718 So. Johnson St., Alvin, Tx. 77511.

Burial will be at a later date in Yantis, Texas.