A 501 LIFE of service

By KD Reep

At 89, Jack Meadows shows no sign of slowing down. A decorated United States Air Force veteran and tireless community volunteer, Meadows’ life is a testament to perseverance, service and a relentless desire to give back.

Photos by Makenzie Evans

Born in Jonesboro, Meadows entered the Air Force in 1954 at just 17 years old, armed with an eighth-grade education and a fierce determination to change the trajectory of his life. “I had no education and no future,” he recalled. “But I knew the military could offer me a chance.”

It did much more than that. Over a 25-year military career, he rose through the ranks, ultimately retiring as a senior master sergeant (E-8), though he was selected as chief master sergeant (E-9). “Due to a remote assignment and family health issues, I had to retire before pinning on chief,” he said with a tinge of bittersweet pride. “But I was the only one in my field to be selected that year.”

Meadows’ career began as an aircraft mechanic, maintaining and deploying aircraft that preceded the KC-135 refuelers. One of his most notable assignments was supporting the historic nonstop around-the-world flight of a B-52 bomber, made possible through in-air refueling — a revolutionary achievement in its day.

After eight years as a mechanic, Meadows transitioned to the Titan II missile program in Arkansas. “These were 103-foot-tall missiles with nuclear warheads aimed at Russia,” he explained. As a missile systems crew member, he played a key role in a Cold War-era deterrence mission that defined an entire generation.

His service extended beyond technical roles. He became an instructor in the Professional Military Education system, teaching leadership at the Strategic Air Command NCO Academy. An instructor who later became the Air Force’s fifth chief master sergeant handpicked him to lead other airmen. He was also honored as the Outstanding Airman of the Year in 1968 at Little Rock Air Force Base.

Meadows capped off his military career with a series of “people” assignments: airman career advisor, equal opportunity and treatment non-commissioned officer (NCO), Inspector General complaints NCO, and finally, first sergeant. “That’s the person who helps take care of the people in the unit,” he said. “I loved every bit of it.”

While on active duty, Meadows completed a master’s degree in human relations from Webster University. Upon retiring from the Air Force, he immediately stepped into the role of Webster University director at Little Rock Air Force Base — the same campus where he’d studied. But his post-military journey didn’t stop there. He became a licensed real estate agent for more than 30 years while also earning social worker credentials due to his work with child abuse victims. What began as volunteer work eventually became a paid position as a child abuse investigator. “My volunteer work evolved into a career,” he said. “I was even grandfathered in as a state-certified social worker.”

Jack Meadows, 89, is a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran. He entered the service in 1954 at 17 and after eight years as a mechanic, transitioned to the Titan II missile program in Arkansas. As a missile systems crew member, he played a key role in a Cold War-era deterrence mission that defined a generation. BOTTOM RIGHT:Jack Meadows had a 25-year military career and retired as a senior master sergeant.

For the past 20 years, Meadows has poured his time and energy into the Jacksonville Museum of Military History — a site he helped found. He’s there nearly every Saturday, guiding tours, answering questions and promoting the museum through TV appearances, community talks and newspaper features. His self-designed business cards and media outreach helped land the museum a segment on a morning show and an in-depth story in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

“Promotion is vital,” Meadows said. “I became the self-appointed director of promotions when I joined the board. I want people to know this gem exists.”

His volunteerism has extended into veteran support. Although he never joined a military organization while actively serving, he’s now a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and works to connect veterans to disability services, regularly helping individuals get the benefits they deserve. In recognition of his decades-long commitment, Meadows was named Veteran of the Year in 2024 by the Jacksonville Historical District.

Though he’s officially retired, Meadows lives by his late wife’s words: “It’s time you work on your own bucket list.” His travels have taken him to the USS Lexington, the Pacific War Museum in Texas, and across the country on a 3,200-mile trip through seven states with his son and daughter-in-law. He also participated in an honor flight to Washington, D.C., and shared his story as part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.

Remarkably, his health and energy remain sharp. “I do cardio and home exercises,” he said with a laugh. “I actually left the young 60-year-olds in the dust on our last trip.”

Meadows has advice for young people unsure of their path: “Finish high school. If you don’t know what to do next, try the military. Even one term will teach you discipline, teamwork and patriotism. It changed my life.”

He urged others to find a way to give back. “Some kind of service — to your community, your state, your country — do that,” he said. “That’s what matters most.”