Ronald A. Meade, 60

NEWARK - Ronald A. Meade of Newark died suddenly at home on Friday, March 14, 2008. He was 60.

Mr. Meade was a native Delawarean who graduated from William Penn High School.

He received his bachelor's, master's and administrative degrees from the University of Delaware.

During his college years, he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and the University of Delaware Marching Band.

In later years, Mr. Meade pursued further educational studies at Wilmington University.

He will be remembered mostly for his dedication to working with children as an educator, coach and school principal.

After serving six years in the U.S. Army Reserves, Mr. Meade began his teaching career.

In 1970, he was employed by the Colonial School District (formerly the New Castle-Gunning Bedford School District).

While there, Mr. Meade worked for many years at New Castle Middle School as a physical education teacher, athletic director, and coached football, wrestling, baseball and track.

Later he became a student advisor and then assistant principal. He also served as assistant principal at Gunning Bedford Middle School.

Finally, he served as principal of New Castle Middle School until 1993, and then pursued a new career path with the state of Delaware Department of Public Instruction. While there, Mr. Meade started several programs for at risk children. He was employed at DPI until his retirement in 2001.

Since that time, Mr. Meade has enjoyed sports, traveling, developing his artistic talent of sketching, and times spent with his beloved family.

He attended Newark United Methodist Church, where he was a member.

He greatly enjoyed reading and collecting books. He loved cooking and was fond of developing gourmet recipes.

Mr. Meade also appreciated time spent at the Jersey Shore.

Throughout his life he spent many hours coaching soccer, wrestling and baseball, and was a devoted father to his children.

Mr. Meade prided himself on physical fitness, and enjoyed weight lifting, biking and running.

Mr. Meade was also an avid gardener who enjoyed the out of doors.

He spent many summers in his early years managing the Four Seasons Swim Club Pool and playing volleyball on local teams.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ellen Irene Mead.

Mr. Meade is survived by his father, Adrian E. Mead and his wife Alice of Millsboro; daughter, Shannon Nicole Meade Oehlers and her husband Michael of Hanover, Pa.; son, Jonathan Michael Meade and his fiancé Adrienne Holliday of Newark; brother, Robert J. Meade and his wife Kay of Milford; stepbrother, Joe Cloud and his wife Charmaine of Smyrna; niece, Amanda Meade; and nephew, Andrew Meade.

He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday in Newark United Methodist Church, 69 E. Main St., Newark, where friends may call after 10 a.m.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or the Boys and Girls Club of DE, 669 S. Union St., Wilmington, DE 19805.

Arrangements by Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes and Crematory.