Jesse Dee Mealer, Jr., “JD” (81), of Lewisburg passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at NHC Lewisburg where he shared a room with Liz, his wife of sixty-one years.
The two were married in 1963 and have two children, Kim and Chris. Throughout much of their life together, JD and Liz ran Mealer’s Phillips 66, a full-service gas station where JD was a skilled mechanic. When it closed in 2007, JD then worked at Okay Tire until retiring in 2020. JD cared for his customers, and they cared for him in return.
JD was born on October 21, 1942, in Chapel Hill, TN. He was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Dee Mealer, Sr., and his mother, Alma Lee Daughrity Mealer. He is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Mealer; two children, daughter Kim (Joe) Stoltz and son Chris (Mandy McCoy) Mealer; three grandchildren, Jennifer (Nick) Busscher, Daniel (Adriana) Stoltz, and Connor (Brianna) Mealer; and five great grandchildren, Lillian, Isabella, Myles, Jaxton, and Ezra. He is also survived by his siblings, Jerry (Debbie) Mealer and Debbie (Tracy) Donegan, and several nieces, nephews, and their children.
When he wasn’t working on cars and researching the price of gas at competing stations, JD could either be found with his family, cheering on (or bemoaning) the Tennessee Volunteers, or napping with a NASCAR race in the background. He loved being Papa to his grandchildren, and bragging about them to anyone who would listen. He never met a stranger because when he did, he’d ask about their “people” and always find a connection to someone they had in common. JD was infamous for his ability to keep a conversation going!
Visitation with JD’s family will be held from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Bills-McGaugh Funeral Home in Lewisburg on Friday, August 23, 2024, with a funeral service immediately following at 1:00 PM. A private graveside service will be held for the family after the funeral.
JD loved cars and was always generous with his time and talents to the Lewisburg community. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support the Automotive Department at the Spot Lowe Technology Center (mail to 700 Jones Circle in Lewisburg) or JD’s home church, the Farmington Church of Christ (mail to 2192 Highway 40 in Lewisburg).
Bills-McGaugh & Hamilton Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
