Jesse Meadows

Jesse Willard Meadows Jr., 83, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, Nov. 14. He was surrounded by family, friends, and beloved caregivers.

Jesse came from humble beginnings. A lifelong resident of Danville, he was born on September 6, 1940 to the late Mabel Bush Meadows and Jesse Meadows Sr. A devoted son and brother, he was raised on Jefferson Avenue by his loving parents. Some of his most precious memories were spent with his father in their tomato garden. Jesse was a graduate of George Washington High School and the Danville Technical Institute. A caring father and husband, he raised three children, encouraging them to pursue their passions in education, law, and music. As a friend, Jesse was fiercely loyal. Throughout his life, he overcame significant obstacles and heartbreaking losses with courage and resilience.

Jesse was a versatile athlete who demonstrated exceptional prowess on both the basketball court and the baseball field. As a member of the Danville Technical Institute basketball team, he was the number five player in the nation in junior college basketball for points scored, averaging 27 points per game. After finishing at DTI, Jesse returned to his love of baseball by playing professionally with the Staunton Braves. In 2013, Jesse was inducted to the Danville Community College Sports Hall of Fame. In 2023, he was inducted into the Pittsylvania County Sports Hall of Fame. He is also the recipient of the Hampton Wilkins Spirit Award given to an individual who demonstrates the qualities of a cheerleader and supporter of a locality and the people who make up the community, especially the young people.

For over 50 years, Jesse blazed a trail in the field of institutional sporting goods. He established the sporting goods department at Link-Watson Corporation and later moved to Downtown Athletics of Charlottesville where he outfitted teams from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Virginia coast. Serving countless high schools and colleges, he was a giant in the business and a top salesman in the state of Virginia. He nurtured strong, lasting relationships with athletic directors and coaches. He also mentored many young athletes, some of whom went on to play sports professionally.

Jesse Meadows was a self-made man whose generosity knew no bounds. He sacrificed tremendously for the sake of his family. Jesse loved spending time on his front porch and made all who entered his home feel welcome. He enjoyed sharing meals with his family and especially cherished adventures with his children and grandchildren in New York City, Nashville, and the North Carolina coast. He was a voracious reader and a scholar of world history. Jesse, nicknamed the Big Bopper, was a wonderful dancer and loved nothing more than cutting a rug on the dance floor. He was a natural comedian and relished in the opportunity to share his stories and jokes with loved ones. Long live the iguana! Jesse was deeply grateful for and proud of his children, sentiments that he expressed often. He also reminded his children that he appreciated his humble beginnings for showing him what's possible with core values, hard work, and an open heart.

In addition to his parents, Jesse is predeceased by his son, Jesse W. Meadows III, and his brother, David Meadows. He is survived by a daughter, Katie Meadows of Dobbs Ferry, NY and a son, Michael Meadows (Brittany) of Hendersonville, TN and their mother, Kimberly Meadows; his sister, Ann Meadows; his daughter-in-law, Melody Meadows; and three grandchildren, Sophie, Teddy, and Emily; and his doting granddog, Johann Sebastian Bark.

A celebration of life will be held at Townes Funeral Home on December 18, 2023, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or The Alger Pugh Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region. The Meadows family has entrusted arrangements to Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main St., Danville, VA.