Frank Meade age 80 from Miles City passed away at his home Wednesday March 21 surrounded by family and friends.
Frank was born November 16th 1937 in Brainerd Minnesota to Will “Bude” Flynn and Jean Meade.
Frank grew up in Ekalaka, MT working on several ranches in the area. He was a cowboy from the very beginning, earning his first saddle at age 8, moving cattle for the neighbors.
Although he didn’t know it at the time, at age 7 he met his future wife Beverly whose father had come over to buy a corn planter. Frank and Beverly started dating in the summer of 1959 and were married on May 2nd 1960 and that’s when their journey began.
Always looking for better opportunities for him and his family, Frank traveled to SD,ID,AZ,CA and MT working for such ranches as The Drake Ranch, The Mule Ranch, Western Cattle Company, The Norse Ranch, The Babbit Ranch, The N-Bar Ranch, TN Ranch, Balsam Ranch, Froze to Death Grazing District, and CM Coffee Ranch. Not only was he an exceptional cowboy, Frank also enjoyed sheep shearing in his spare time.
Along the way they had five daughters: Stacy, Tara, Renae, Frankie and Pepper. Frank spent many hours teaching his daughters all about the things he loved; Morning coffee with Beverly (and her wonderful cooking), reading about history from his vast library, rodeos, training horses, cowboy work, hunting, dancing and spur making. Frank could turn a hand at almost anything because his philosophy was always: “You’re never too old to learn” and was constantly on the hunt for new knowledge and skills. Frank continued to do the things he loved right up until the time of his passing. He was fixing up an old hunting rifle for his Great Grandson’s only a week prior.
Frank was proceeded in death by his father Bude, his mother Jean, his older sister Toots Morgan, and his younger brother Homer Meade.
Survived by his wife Beverly, older sister Peggy Volin, younger sister Tammy Meade. Daughters; Stacy Gierke, Tara (Tom) Young, Renae Meade, Frankie Meade, Pepper (Will) Ecord. Grandchildren; Tisha (Mick Ronning) Gierke, Kade (April) Gierke, Lacy Gierke and Jesse Gierke. Great Grandchildren; Koy and Tel Gierke, Nephews; Billy and Buddy Meade and numerous other nieces and nephews and special friends Marty (Dana) Penrod and family, Tim (Laura) Penrod and family.
A Celebration of Life for Frank will be held at the VFW Hall in Miles City, Wednesday March 28, 2018 at 2pm until closing. Come join the family and friends in celebrating Frank’s life. Music will be provided by whoever would like to bring their instruments (and talent) catering will be provided by the VFW Auxiliary.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Kathy Strub says
Bev and girls we send our prayers and hugs during this sad time. May God give you peace and your memories give you comfort.
linda walker says
Such a nice man. Thing of you girls.
Darbie Karch and family says
Thinking of all of u at this difficult time. Frank was a tough man and loved his girls. Will never forgot all the times I stayed at your house. Was like my second home. Glad he is not suffering any more. Read in peace and know you will be missed dearly. ?
Kris bartholomew says
Bev and girls. ….I always enjoyed running into Frank and visiting with him. thinking of all of you during this difficult time
Casey & Cindy Phalen says
Thinking of you all.
Frank was one ol tough cowboy with a wonderful laugh I will always remember. God bless you all
Rob says
I will always remember Frank. Thinking of the girls and beg. Hope to see all of you wed. Should I bring some food?
K.R. Brink says
I only met Frank once- 4th of July 2017. It was GREAT listening to his “old timer” stories of cowboying, shearing and such. He showed me a handful of spurs he’d built, along with a picture album of his work. I aim to have lots of good stories like him someday.
Jan Cornutt says
50 wyttenhove lane
Hi, I didn’t know Frank but I wish I have, you sound like a beautiful person, I always like listings to old story from cowboys that been there and done it. RIP,
Jeremy Jerome and family says
Frankie and family my condolences go out to you in this tough time. Sorry for your loss!! Prayers your way!
Johnella Lambert says
Bev and Girls. Thinking of all of you at this difficult time. Also my condolences to Tammy!!
Julie (LaBree) Stephens says
So sorry for your loss. My Dad and Frank were friends. There was always conversation about the Franks’ from Ekalaka, and they each had five girls, and one of the girls was named Frankie. Thoughts and prayers.
Jim and Ann Willson says
Beverley and girls; So sorry to hear of Franks passing. He was a great stockman. He was the kind of man who could do anything, Not just livestock, also Frank was a top hand with a welder or forge making spurs. I tried to buy a pair of Frank Meade spurs at an auction but I did not have near enough money now they are priceless. Rest in peace ole cowboy!! Will always remember the fun times over the years when we were neighbors on the Mizpah Ranch & LO Ranch. I went Elk Hunting with Frank, Dan Fox, and Norm Willson Jr. many years ago & the only elk we seen was in the Antler Bar in Melstone, Mt. on the way home
Thinking of you; Jim and Ann Willson
Ron & June Tibbetts says
We so enjoyed Frank’s stories…Always great conversations. You are in our thoughts & Prayers..
Gary Meidinger & Sheila Kale says
So sorry to hear of Frank’s passing.
Betty Holmes Vail says
Bev and girl, So sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. Reading his obit I understand why he and my father, Homer Holmes, had so much in common – making spurs and reading history for example. Today they are together making spurs and sharing history.
Bless you all.
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Meade Family,
We am so sorry for your loss, but so great he was still able to do so much before he passed. I remember your Dad dancing at Powderville dances, he knew how to have a good time. Chris and I send our sympathy to all of you. God bless.
Chris and Diana Elwood
Randy & Janet Stanhope says
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are sent to you and your family during this very difficult time.
Wanda & Eric says
Condolences to Bev & girls. A real cowboy and Salt of the earth.
Karla (Laurie) Gambill says
Beverly and girls! So sorry to hear of Frank passing! I have many many fond memories of him on the Scott Ranch and all the years since then! He was a hand on a horse and respected by cowboys from afar! My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Sherry Farwell says
Saw Frank and visited with him during a recent Bucking Horse event in Miles City. Frank reminded me that he worked for my Father during one haying season on Box Elder in the early 1950’s when we had the old Case hand-tie wire hay baler. As I recall, Frank and Bob Gurholt rode on the baler seats mounted opposite of each other and tied the bales. As a young kid, I rode on the top of the bale case and kept Bob and Frank supplied with short pieces of wire that were sometimes needed when the bales became longer than the individual strands of wire. When a rattle snake was captured in the bale being pushed through the bale case, Bob or Frank would fall backwards off the seat to avoid the irritated snake. Frank and I laughed 60 years later about these snake incidents, but they were not funny in real time! Frank Meade is likely the last of the old time Montana cowboys. May he find a good horse and green grass on his next journey.
Jared Bankey says
My thought and prayers to all of the Meade family. I didn’t know him well but I did know how proud of his girls he always will be….
Our Heavenly Father, we pause at this time,
mindful of the many blessings you have bestowed upon us.
We ask, Lord, that you will be with us in the arena of life.
We as cowboys do not ask for special favors.
We don’t ask to draw around the chute fighting horse, the steer that won’t lay, or to never break the barrier.
We don’t even ask for all daylight runs.
We do ask Lord, that you will help us live our lives here on earth as cowboys, in such a manner, that when we make that last inevitable ride, to the country up there, where the grass grows lush, green, and stirrup high, and the water runs cool, clear, and deep, that you’ll take us by the hand and say –
“Welcome to Heaven cowboy, your entry fees are paid.”
Darlene McGill says
Bev and girls, praying for peace during the passing of Frank. Many good times and memories of all your family.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
So sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. He was pure cowboy and a Jack of all trades & master of many. My sincere condolences to Beverly, the girls and the many friends & family Frank loved.
Josephine Meidinger says
Bev and Girls So sorry to hear about Frank He will be missed Will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers
Dr Grace Blair says
My sympathies go to Beverly and family at this very sad time. Many fond memories of our childhood together!
Karen & Jobie Morris says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Sherry Oster says
To the Family;
So very sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. I have fond memories of brandings and card parties that Frank and Bev were always a part of. He was a cowboy and a storyteller. My thoughts and prayers to all of Frank’s family.
Sherry
Deb Singleton says
Bev and girls: So sorry to hear of your loss….and the community’s loss. A lot of rich history and stories were held in Frank’s head and they poured out of his mouth with a twinkle in his eyes and a mischievous grin! Frank was always a gentleman to me and I always enjoyed working cows with him. I have deep respect for Frank and everyone of you. May you find The Lord’s comfort and love as you heal from your loss.
Love,
Deb
harold & belva arvik says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Beverly and girls. We very well remember the years when Frank was Range Rider on Froze-to-Death. He was so capable and willing and as Harold says “always in the right place at the right time.” He was a leader rather than a boss and we were proud to work with him. Hugs to all of you.