Frank Waldreth Mead, 90, of Gainesville, passed away on October 12, 2012 at E.T. York Hospice Care Center.
Frank was born in Columbus, Ohio on June 11, 1922 to Arlington and Edith Mead. He served in WWII in the U.S. Army. He worked as an Entomologist for the State of Florida Dept. of Agriculture from 1953 to his retirement in 1994. He attained a BS and MS from Ohio State and a PhD from NC State.
Frank loved photography, as did his father and grandfather, Frank Harrison, ranging from WWII, the State Plant Board/DPI and his favorite, P.K. Younge. Frank was also very active in The Audubon Society, Wheaton Club, Alachua County Historical Society and The Florida Entomological Society.
Frank also loved athletics, lettering in track at O.S.U., years of playing handball, jogging in marathons and donating blood often. Frank was an avid Gator and Buckeye Fan, loved to travel around the world, listened and an expert in big band swing music, and enjoyed life to the fullest. And, as people know, he was a walking encyclopedia and was in Who’s Who in Science and Engineering in both the South and Southwest.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen. He is survived by his sons, Gregory S. (Janice Marie) Mead and David H.(Mari Dawn) Mead and four grandchildren, Scott Arlington Mead, Stephanie April Mead, Ashley Danielle Mead, and Hunter Nicole Mead.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 17 at 2:00 PM at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Dan Johnson officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service beginning at 1:00. Burial will follow with military honors at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central, 4100 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd, Gainesville, 32606.
Louise Crum and Julie Henderson, both of my sons’ (Robby Henderson Crum and Shawn Henderson) went to PK Yonge.
Thanks for all the encouragement, Coach! It was fun!
Dr. Mead was a very important part of the PKY family during my daughter’s days there. All the kids loved him, and we parents were very touched at how he kept up with her class long after they graduated from high school. He came to many of their weddings. My family has many wonderful photos from those days that Dr. Mead generously gave to us. He will always be in our hearts.
To Greg and family
Thank you for sharing your dad with us (PK) days it was a pleasure knowing him and just sitting back and watching him take all those pictures of the kids at PK Yonge. RIP Mr. Frank Meade.
I just want to send my prayers out to the family. Sorry for the loss of such a wonderful man and human being that touched all of our lives in such a profound way. I know personally he made me feel like some kind of movie star in my own right. I could not show up anywhere , that Dr Mead did not find me in the stands and shoot pictures of me. He was very good for my self esteem for sure. He and his family will always have a special place in my Heart. I always ask my brothers Rodney and John if they ever saw in over the years. He will truelly be missed. Rest in Peace my Dear Friend and we will always Love you.
Dr. Mead was the face of PK sports and arts with such an eye to capture each moment in time. He always made you feel special and was so encouraging to talk to. Most of our family (Herschel, Lorraine and myself) sports pictures of course have the famous Frank Mead on the back, and our memories in competition are with him right there cheering us on. What a man, he will be missed deeply!
Greg & Family,
I know that many of my colleagues such has Chris Mack, Tra Williams, Al Williams and others(Class of 83) would say that PK Yonge would have been much different without Frank Mead. This were the best times of our lives and Frank Mead captured them all. I played basketball for coach Greg(couldn’t shoot very well) and baseball with coach Hawk and football with Coach Smith. I wasn’t very good but I do agree that Frank made me feel special. It hurts when a member of the family leaves us. I would say rest in peace but I know you brought your camera!! Artie Stewart
My Prayers go out to the family. Dr Mead was a great man and he touched all our lives at PKY . He always made you feel special . I can remember a few years after graduation I went to a basketball game and he was right there taking pictures. Rest in peace.
My condolences to the family of Dr. Meade, whom I knew not only as a student at PKY but whom I also consulted with many times when I worked at for the FL. Dept. of Ag. at the Doyle Conner Building. I knew him as a kind, considerate, peacemaker, and often talking of his family over coffee with his friends in the break room. He often took time to help others in the labs with whatever problems when he could assist. God bless you all and may your grief be brief and your memories long.
Many years, many pictures, you will be missed. I had the privilege of talking with him on the phone in his last days and he was still the same happy man I remembered so many years ago. PKY c/o 93
So many years and memories! You will be dearly missed but never forgotten! Thank you for your generous love! I will always have your memories in my PK photos and the wedding photos and video you made for Jack and I. Watch over us! We love you! RIP
The Fugate Family
I just hear the name Frank Mead and thoughts go to some wonderful P.K memories. He loved all his “P.K Kids” and it showed in all the great pictures he took.. Thanks to the Mead family for sharing him with us all… I am so sorry for your loss… R.I.P xoxox
C/O 81
Frank was indeed a part of our family and we will miss him at family gatherings on Redwater Lake.
It was wonderful that he had such a full life and shared it with so many.
Our condolences to Greg and family and to David and family.
We will all have our memories and photos and his smile to remember him.
RIP Dr. Mead.
He brings so many happy memories while I was at PK. Always smiling and ready to take your picture. Wish the their was a way to go thru his pictures because I know there is some I would love too have. My condolences to the family my thought and prayers are with you all.
Dr. Mead will be sorely missed. His cheerfulness was sincere and encouraging, always kind to all that surrounded him. His passing is a big loss to Entomology and entomologists. His absence will be felt most strongly during the annual Florida Entomological Society meetings, where he served per self definition as the official photographer. I am lucky to have met him, to have shared some meals with him, and to have known some of his friends. Most importantly, he will live in us by all the stories he would tell us, some illustrated by excellent photographs.
One name that I will always remember from PK Yonge is Frank Mead. Back in 1979-1983 I was a chubby little girl trying my best to play basketball. Wasn’t very good at it…….but always was encouraged by Dr. Mead, his presence at all of our activities and the wonderful photos he took of all of us…the athletic and the not quite as talented. 🙂 His presence in our childhood lives was evident….and we were not even his children. I hope that his family finds peace in his passing and will look through the photos and legacy that he has left and know that he will always be with us. Kelly
What a wonderful man Dr. Meade was. I remember how he was always there with his camera and a pocket full of butterscotch or peppermints. Whether we were cheering or playing softball, basketball games, football games just everything he was always there with that gentle spirit and beautiful smile. He was a huge part of the class of 1983 and everyone just loved him!!! I still have ever picture he took. He once took pictures of me and my friend for modeling. When we went to his house to get the pictures OMG there were boxes of pictures every where. We know where you are today… hollering about your Buckeyes and taking pictures in heaven. Thanks for the memories, you will be missed! My prayers and thoughts are with the Meade Family!
I will always remember Dr. Meade’s positive, calming and friendly presence.