| Date of Birth | May 28, 1937 |
| Passed Away | October 5, 2026 |
| Place of Residence | Avoca |
| Home State | New York |
| Service Date | October 19, 2026 |
| Service Time | 11:30 AM |
| Service Location | First Baptist Church of Avoca |
AVOCA – Thomas Carlton Meade, 89, of Avoca, New York, went home to be with the Lord on October 5, 2026, with his loving wife by his side.
Born May 28, 1937, Tom grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of the late Carlton and Reeva Meade. He obtained a B.A. from Houghton College with a double major in Bible and History and a minor in education, as well as a Master of Education from Elmira College. He proudly served in the United States Navy before dedicating his career to teaching as a high school social studies teacher for 31 years in Naples, NY.
On August 20, 1960, Tom married his college sweetheart, Elizabeth, beginning a loving partnership that lasted 66 years. Together they raised four children and built a life centered on faith, family and service.
As a teacher, Tom loved his students and worked hard to bring history to life. After a lesson on the historical figure Boss Tweed, his students lovingly nicknamed him Boss Meade, which stuck for many years. He was the assistant swim coach and soccer coach briefly as well. Towards the end of his career, Tom opened Captain Tom’s Pool Supply store and some of his students took up calling him Captain Tom.
After retiring from teaching, Tom continued to make a difference as co-founder of the Cambodian ministry Hands Across the Pacific, making multiple trips to Cambodia to set up a school. He and his wife ministered there for close to a year.
Tom was a short-term pastor at various times in his life and served as pastor for 5 year at the Nile Evangelical United Brethren Church early on in his marriage. He devoted many years as a deacon and Bible teacher at Bristol Springs Free Church, where he also played his trumpet and sang in the choir. Later in life, he continued to serve as a member at Manchester First Baptist Church and then First Baptist Church of Avoca.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth Meade; his children, Pam (Mark) Taft, Dan (Heather) Meade, Kathleen (Ron) Wilston, and Jonathan (DeAnn) Meade; his grandchildren, Nathan Taft, Ryan Taft (Krystle Kercado), Daniel Meade Jr., Cassedy (Brandon) McAfee, Seth (Allanah) Meade, Ailah Meade, Tyler (Emily) Wilston, Jacob (Chanika) Wilston, Nicholas Wilston, Jadie Meade, Gabbie Meade, and Kinley Meade; and his great-grandchildren, Selah Meade, Leahbella Ramos, Miafleur Ruiz, and Akira Wilston.
Tom is now living out his life verse, which is Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Service will be held at First Baptist Church of Avoca on Monday, October 19, 2026, with calling hours at 10:30 a.m. and the celebration of life at 11:30 a.m.
Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, 22 N. Main St., AVOCA is honored to assist Tom’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Tom are welcome below or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
