Garner Meadschr MD

Garner Beardall Meads, M.D. Garner Beardall Meads, 92, passed away August 5, 2006, faithful, grateful, humble and devoted to his family to the end despite a long debilitating illness. He was born on June 6, 1914, to Frank Meads and Lillian Ellen Brandon Read as the second of five children. His strong work ethic began in his boyhood as he sold vegetables, mowed 64 lawns and carried the Deseret News to 90 homes. He graduated as valedictorian of the last graduating class of L.D.S. High School in 1931, with the Heber J. Grant and debate scholarships.

He began his study of medicine at the University of Utah. He then went to George Washington School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., where he paid for his schooling as an elevator operator in the U.S. Senate Office Building. He interned at Garfield Memorial Hospital, followed by a pathology residency. He did his surgical residency at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. During WWII, he was a Captain in the US Army as a surgeon in the 102 EVAC hospital with Patton?s Third Army in Europe.

At 32, he began his private practice in Salt Lake City and was on the staff of St. Mark?s Hospital. He was President of Salt Lake County Medical Society and President of the Salt Lake Surgical Society. He was Medical Director of Blue Cross Blue Shield. He practiced medicine for 48 years with great love and concern for his patients; he made house calls and night visits, held patients? hands, and gave untold hours of charity care. He has truly been an example of unconditional love, serving all people equally, with great devotion. His patients esteemed him as a friend and counselor. He retired at 72.

He married the love of his life, Miriam Smith Taylor, August 20, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple. Wanting a large family, they had five children in five years. A busy man, he made time for his children using carpentry skills to build playhouses and tree houses, and remodel homes, as well as skiing, boating, and the family cabin. He will forever be our beloved ?Granddaddy.? All who know him will continue to be blessed by his great example of integrity, devotion, and testimony. He served as a tour guide on Temple Square for 22 years. He served in many teaching assignments and on three High Councils. He was a counselor in the Monument Park West now Foothill Stake Presidency. He served with Miriam in the Washington, D.C. North Mission in the Washington Temple Visitor Center. He served as a medical consultant for the Social Services and Missionary Department for nine years. He sincerely lived his life?s motto, ?The Gospel is True.?

He is survived by his sweetheart of 57 years, Miriam, and their five children, 23 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren: daughter Marjorie Ellen Gregory Spencer and children John Jennifer Johnsen Lauren, Suzanne John Wirthlin Kate and Elizabeth, Rebecca Joseph Biggs Jack, Mark Jamie Steffensen, and Christine Benjamin Brown; son Garner Beardall, Jr. LeeAnn Hitler and children Melissa Zachary Gleason Ruth, Garner III Julie Cameron, Matthew, Steven, Marianne, Rebekah; son David Taylor Marjorie Monson and children Megan Jeron Snow J.J., Emma, Ellie, David Jr., Smith Ashlee Stevenson, Maren Ryan Vogel, and Michael; daughter MaryAnn Robert Silver and children Brian Shant Sullivan, Laura Jared Shannon Tara, Eric, Ian, Emily Jared Blair Molly, and Daniel Laura Metcalf; and daughter Judy Jardine and children Sarah Craig Howard, Rachel, and Abigail. He is preceded in death by his parents and all his siblings: Frank R., Thelma Blosch, Arthur ?Bud?, and Vivian Jones.

The family sincerely wishes to express our deep gratitude to the many loving and tender caregivers at Silverado Aspen Park and the VA Nursing Home. In his memory, the family suggests donations to the Missionary Department, Perpetual Education Fund, or Humanitarian Aid of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 9, at noon at the Foothill 7th Ward, 2215 East Roosevelt Avenue. Friends and family may call Tuesday evening at Russon Brothers Salt Lake Mortuary, 255 South 200 East from 6-8 p.m. and from 10:30-11:40 a.m. at the Foothill 7th Ward prior to the services. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Online guest book and directional maps available at www.russonmortuary.com