In Memory of Alexander Meek (1929 – 2018)
The Rev. Alexander “Scotty” Meek died on September 24, 2018 at the age of 89.
Alexander was born on June 10, 1929 in Andover, MA to Alexander Meek, Sr. and Rolina J.D. Meek. He graduated from Tufts University, MA in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, following which he earned his Bachelor of Sacred Theology from Crane Theological School, Tufts University, MA in 1959.
Rev. Meek was ordained on June 14, 1959 by the First Universalist Church in Stafford, CT, where he carried out his ministry from 1957 to 1959. He was then called to the First Universalist Church of Orange in MA where he would serve from 1960 to 1963. In 1964, Alexander accepted call from the UU Church of Greater Lynn, MA and ministered to the Lynn congregation for nine years. He then served the First UU Church of Rochester in MN for a decade and then the Pacific Southwest District, UUA from 1983 to 1987. In 1987, the Pacific Southwest District, UUA elected him their District Minister Emeritus.
Drawn to interim ministry, he then carried out series of vital interim ministries at the following congregations: UU Church of Tucson, AZ (1988-1989); First UU Church of Wausau, WI (1989-1990); First Jefferson UU Church, TX (1990-1991); All Souls UU Church, MO (1991-1992) and the First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn, NY (1992-1994). In 1994, Alexander retired from active ministry but continued his service to the faith by further carrying out interim ministries at various congregations. After retirement he served for a year at the Bay Area UU Church; and then from 1997 to 1999, he simultaneously served two congregations: Valley UU Congregation, AZ and the UU Congregation of Green Valley, AZ. In 2000, the UU Congregation of Green Valley, AZ honored Rev. Meek for his devoted and inspirational leadership by electing him their Minister Emeritus. In 2001, he again returned to the Bay Area UU Church, TX as an interim minister and served for a year. Finally, from 2002 Rev. Meek ministered at the UU Church of Little Rock, AR until 2004, at which time the congregation honored him as their Minister Emeritus.
Rev. Meek carried out a great deal of service on behalf of the denomination. He served as a Chair for various committees including: the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, the Pamphlet Commission, the LRY Advisory Committee, and the UUA’s Nominating Committee. He was a Board Member and President for the Ferry Beach Park Association, ME. He also chaired the Interim Minister’s Advisory Committee, UUA Dept. of Ministry; functioned as Chair and Treasurer for LREDA; and President and Secretary for the Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association. Rev. Meek further served as President of the Ministers and DRE Group, Prairie Star District, and as Minister-in-Residence for District Leadership School at the Pacific Southwest District.
In addition to his ministry, Scotty was engaged in service to his community. He served as Chemical Dependency Board President and chaired the RAPELINE (Sexual Violence Program) in Rochester, MN. He was the chair for School District 535 Affirmative Action Committee and member of ACLU, YMCA, and NAACP. He also authored the book “Building Family Religion at Home” (1979). Scotty was proud to have attended over fifty consecutive UUA General Assemblies. In his spare time, he enjoyed golf, cooking, doing household repairs and gardening.
Scotty is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy M Meek; his two children Stevan and Sheralyn; as well as his four loving grandchildren, Jordan, Mason, Sasha and Zoe.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s own choosing, as well as to Ferry Beach Park Association, 5 Morris Ave, Saco, Maine, 04072 or the Valley Unitarian Universalist, Chandler, AZ, 85226 or the Unitarian Universalist Association, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA, 02210.
Short memorial services will take place at 9.15 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at the Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 6400 W Del Rio St, Chandler, AZ 85226.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Ferry Beach Park Association, 5 Morris Ave, Saco, Maine, 04072 on the Labor Day weekend of 2019 (date and time to be decided).
Notes of Condolences may be sent to Dorothy M. Meek at 26231 S Lakeside Dr., Sun Lakes, AZ, 85248.