The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Chris Clayton Meadows, 58, and longtime resident of Lufkin, went to be with the Lord on April 27, following a brief illness. Born in Orange, on May 14, 1954, Chris was the son of Hubert H. Meadows, deceased, and Dorothy Linscomb Meadows.

At the time of Chris’ birth, it was evident that Chris and other children like him with severe special needs, were in need of a special type of care and attention which was often difficult to provide. Chris’ parents subsequently became instrumental in the organization of OCARC (originally Orange County Association for Retarded Children) as well as the Lufkin State School. Chris became a resident in 1965 and lived there throughout his life, visiting Orange when he was able. He witnessed the many changes which occurred at Lufkin State School, including the renaming of the school to Lufkin State Supported Living Center.

Chris took great pride in his job working in the Packaging and Assembly Department, a part of the employment services of the Lufkin campus. He enjoyed swimming, dancing, and attending Sunday and Wednesday Chapel services. He especially enjoyed music and the company of friends and his loving family.

Chris is survived by his mother Dorothy Linscomb Meadows, sister Sheri Meadows Tomerlin and brother-in-law Douglas Tomerlin of Colorado Springs, CO; nephew David Tomerlin of Minneapolis, MN; niece Beth Tomerlin and her husband Tony Rodriguez of Denver, CO; brother Ben Meadows and sister-in-law Kelly Montagne-Meadows of Orange; niece Brianna Meadows of Orange and nephew Caleb Meadows of Orange.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 29, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, from 5:00-7:00 PM. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at First Presbyterian Church, in Orange. The Rev. Mike Umberhaur, of First Presbyterian, and Chaplain Greg Freijo, of Lufkin State Supported Living Center, will preside. Graveside services will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ben Meadows, Caleb Meadows, Robert Montagne, Douglas Tomerlin, Butch Gaston and Dana Cruse.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Chris Meadows to the Lufkin State Supported Living Center Chapel Fund, P.O. Drawer 1648, Lufkin, TX 75902 or to LCI Stay and Play (a playground being built for special needs children), 2300 Allie Payne, Orange, TX 77632.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Lufkin Living Center and Woodland Heights Medical Center for their care and support of our dear Chris.