John Mead

John Edward Mead, of Penhook, VA passed away in his home on Smith Mountain Lake on April 19, 2023, with his family by his side. He was a son, husband, father, grandfather, business owner, community leader, and endearing friend to all he encountered and knew.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rosalie Sciangula Mead; their two children, Blain (Stephanie) Mead and Melissa (Keith) Ghaphery; and five grandchildren, Benjamin, Anthony (Kelly), Jonathan, Cara, and Owen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Blain M. Mead, and Marian Koebley Mead.

John, born on June 9, 1942, in Warren, Pennsylvania, and was the only son of his late parents. He spent his youth in Warren playing sports while also working in the oil fields. He graduated from Warren High School where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams. A standout wrestler, John went on to attend Kent State University on a wrestling scholarship.

After graduating from college, John embarked on what would be a 50-year-career in tooling and gaging. His career included work with Jergens, Inc in Cleveland, OH from 1971-1978 and went on to move with his family to Danville, VA in 1978 to become Vice President of Sales for Virginia Carolina Tools. It is in Danville, VA in 1986 that John and Rosalie opened the doors of Master Gage & Tool Co. (MG&T), For the past 37 years, John has led by example and is often referred to in the industry as “The Last Gentlemen”. As Chairman of MG&T, since 2017, John continued to support key customers out in the field and focused on the economic growth of Danville and the region, while always ensuring the employees of MG&T knew they were appreciated and valued.

John volunteered his time on many industry and educational boards to support the economic development of Danville and the State of Virginia, while also working to educate and train the workforce to support manufacturing. His efforts included decades of service on Danville Community College Workforce Services Advisory Board and an appointment to the Board of Trustees of the A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GENEDGE ALLIANCE) by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam on October 9, 2020. John also served for many years on the Board of Directors of the American Measuring Tool Manufactures Association (AMTMA).

As dedicated as he was to his work, John was equally devoted to his family and friends. John and Rosalie’s home at Smith Mountain Lake served as a haven for family members and friends. Their Fourth of July Ice Cream Social quickly became an annual tradition for the surrounding community. John also started beekeeping later in his life, which became another family tradition of harvesting and bottling of the honey that John enjoyed sharing with family and friends.

John was unwaveringly selfless and supportive of his family, friends, colleagues, and customers alike. Through his experience with ALS, John encountered many caring and devoted medical professionals that made his difficult journey easier. Special thanks to Dr. Vishal Patel, the doctors and staff at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Neurology, and the ALS Clinic at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, along with the Med Emporium Respiratory Specialists and the Amedisys Hospice Nurses. A small family service will be held in his memory.

If you are so moved, donations can be made through the Walk to Defeat ALS Winston Salem website, to the John Mead Family Team. The family will be walking On April 29, 2023, in John’s memory. You can also donate directly to the ALS Center at Wake Forest, Department of Neurology and mailed to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Neurology Attn: James Caress, Medical Center Blvd., Reynolds Tower Main Floor, Winston-Salem, NC 27157. The donations will fund ALS research related activities and clinical research.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memory Wall at www.townesfuneralhome.com. The Mead family has entrusted arrangements to Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main St., Danville, VA, 434-793-1211