Vernon Lee Meek

Vernon Lee Meek, 62, of Rogers, Ark., passed away on July 27, 2019 due to ALS. Vernon was born in Pittsburg, Calif., on October 26, 1956, to parents Dale and Rowena Meek. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; oldest brother Howard Meek, and former wife and mother of his children, Debbie Meek. Vernon is survived by his wife of 13 years, Beverly Meek, of Rogers, Ark; children Steven Clark & wife Aimee of Bates City, Mo.; Bobbi Weimer & husband Paul of Richmond, Va.; Cassi White & husband Todd of Bentonville, Ark.; Sammi Bates & husband Troy of Gravette, Ark.; stepchildren Jennifer Turrentine & wife Bethany of Bloomington, Ind.; Erin Lorance & husband Chris of McKinney, Texas; Jamie Herd & husband Drew of Nixa, Mo.; brothers Mike Meek and Steve Meek of Bella Vista, Ark.; twelve grandchildren: Stevie, Ty and Jake Clark; Emma, Gabbi and Cope Bates; Jaxon, Grayson and Brennon Weimer; Lily and Violet Lorance; and Ryan Herd. When Vernon was 1, his family returned to northwest Arkansas, where both his parents were born and raised. He spent his childhood on the family farm and playing every sport the Gravette schools offered. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with degrees in Computer Science and Accounting. While at the U of A, he perfected his disco dancing and dedication to the Arkansas Razorbacks. It was there he married Debbie Meek and started his family, later moving back to Gravette. Deeply devoted to both his family and his faith, he coached his children's sports teams, taught Sunday School, and built the most amazing swing sets for his grandkids. He and Debbie were married 22 years before she passed in 2004. Together, they raised four children, who cherish the values and memories he provided them. The kids often refer to Vernon as their hero. In 2006, his and Beverly's lives were forever changed when they met and married, following a whirlwind courtship. They met on eHarmony, a dating website, and spent the next 7 weeks corresponding around the clock. After their first in-person date, they married 7 weeks later. Beverly always says Vernon was the best thing that ever happened and worth waiting 50 years for. They spent the next 13 years working, traveling for pleasure, and visiting grandkids. Vernon was a perfect, loving stepfather. Beverly's children cherish the friendship and relationship they shared with him. He and Beverly became certified open water scuba divers in 2011 and logged over 200 dives in the Caribbean and Fiji; diving was one of his greatest joys. Vernon never did anything halfway; he became a master at all hobbies: an avid bass fisherman, dive aficionado, craftsman, and adventuring with Beverly. Along with his business partner, he built a successful metal plating business, PM Industries, in 1997, later launched American Plating Partners in Johnson. Arrangements are by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th Rogers, Ark. Service to be held Wednesday, July 31, at 1 p.m. at Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas (in the Training Center on north side of campus), 1051 W Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, Ark. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com. In honor of Vernon, please perform an act of humble kindness in his name. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ALS Association Arkansas Chapter (http://webar.alsa.org). The family thanks the ALS Arkansas Chapter for their love, support, and assistance. Donations can also be made to Oceana (https://oceana.org/), an organization devoted to sustaining the oceans and ocean life Vernon so dearly loved exploring. Husband, father, son, brother, friend, Disco King, Silver Fox. Forever in our hearts.