Charles Meeks - a life well lived
Published:Sunday | February 12, 2017 | 12:00 AMJason Cross
If a patient were to dishonour the time set for an appointment with dental surgeon Dr Charles Meeks, there was little doubt that that individual would have had to reschedule. There was no getting in late. Such was the respect the good doctor had for time.
Meeks passed away on February 9, 2017, three-and-a-half years after his wife, Corina.
His son, Brian, said Meeks had many achievements. He was a former Jamaica College Manning Cup goalkeeper who went on to McGill University in Canada, where he studied dental surgery.
RETURNING TO JAMAICA
He returned to Jamaica in 1956, where he established his practice.
"His professional journey was an interesting one. One of his achievements was to help lead and establish the tradition of dental conventions in Jamaica, which led to the regular convention of the Jamaica Dental Association. He returned to Jamaica in 1956 and established his practice here until 2013. He received many awards from the Jamaica Dental Association for his service, both as an outstanding dentist, but also as past president of the association, where dentists from all over the world meet to discuss the state of the profession," Brian told The Gleaner.
Meeks became one of the original residents of Hope Pastures in St Andrew when it was established in the mid-1960s. He lived there until his death. He was also a former president of the Jamaica Amateur Swimming Association.
He was the father of three - Brian, Julie, and Jeffrey - who have all been successful in their careers as university professors and as an orthodontist.
Born April 4, 1930, Meeks was a lover of sports.
"I would say my father was a great father and a loving husband. That is the most important thing," said Brian.