Dr. Richard F. Meckley, 93, passed away on April 10, 2022, at his home in Naples, Fla., with his daughter and many close friends surrounding him. He was born on Sept. 20, 1928 in Newark, Ohio, to Harold and Frances Meckley.
Richard grew up in Newark, Ohio. He graduated from Newark High School in 1946. At that time, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Upon leaving the Army, he went to Ohio University where he received a Bachelor of Education degree. He then went on to enroll at Ohio State University to get his masters and Ph.D.
He worked as a principal at both Lakewood High School and Toronto High School prior to getting his master’s and Ph.D. He went on to become a professor at WVCOGS until 1975. At this time, he and his wife relocated to Morgantown, where he continued his teaching career at West Virginia University. He retired from WVU as a professor emeritus and relocated to Naples, Fla.
Richard married Jessie Mae Cooperrider in 1953 in Newark, Ohio. They were happily married for 67 years.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Jesse Mae Meckley; his parents, Harold and Francis Meckley; and his nephew, James D. Meckley (Lou), of Heath, Ohio.
Richard is survived by his son, William A. Meckley (Dreama); daughter, Sue A. Hedrick; his two grandchildren, Richard A. Hedrick and Christy Hedrick Berry (Alan); his brother, David Meckley, of Heath, Ohio; and nieces, Christa J. Gutridge and Marcie Priest (Jeff). He also has five great-nieces and several great-great-nieces and nephews.
A joint service will be held this summer in Ohio for Richard and Jessie.
