George A. Meeker Jr.

George Arthur Meeker, Jr. was born on November 6, 1930, in Kansas City, Missouri, to George and Margaret Meeker. He, along with his older sister, Joan (Campbell, now deceased), made their family complete.

Though he grew up during the Depression years, it was the events of WW2 that left a lasting impression. George loved his country until he died, thanking God often for its bounty and its opportunity.

He got a newspaper route as a young teen, and saved his money. His credo, which lasted a lifetime, was if one spent every penny and saved none, he indeed was living beyond his means. By age 16 he had saved enough money to take flying lessons (unknown to his father until after the fact) and to qualify as a private pilot.

After graduating from Shawnee Mission High School in Merriam, Kansas, he attended Ambassador College, founded by Herbert W. Armstrong, in Pasadena, CA, and earned a BA in theology in 1954. The following year he was ordained a minister in the Radio Church of God (later, the Worldwide Church of God), serving in local churches, conducting baptizing tours across the United States, and fulfilling several assignments in England and Europe.

In 1955, George helped to establish the first office of the Radio Church of God outside the United States, located just off Leicester Square in the heart of London, England. The building still stands. He was part of the church's first baptizing tour on the European continent. And he was the pastor of the fledgling congregation which began in London.

In 1960, a sister campus to Ambassador College in Pasadena was established in Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire, England. George was the office manager and comptroller for the new property. Several US students were sent from Pasadena to serve as upperclassmen for the incoming first-year students. Among them was co-ed Karen Kunkel, from Odessa, TX. Within months, she became his bride, and the two began a partnership that lasted just over 63 years.

Shortly after their marriage, they returned to the US and began a lifetime of service in pastoring churches in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Over the years, George and Karen were blessed with three wonderful children, Joel, Julia, and Jacqueline, later adding daughter-in-law, Marjolaine, and son-in-law, Mick White, and much-loved grandchildren: Fiona Meeker, Tatiana (Charlie) Wright, Zoe White, Riley White, Renee (Tony) Siesnnop, and great-grands, Elouise Pottebaum and Edward Siesnnop.

George faithfully served the people of God for almost 69 years. He fought the good fight. He finished his race. He kept the faith.

George Arthur Meeker, Jr. died peacefully on December 27, 2023, and now awaits the long-anticipated resurrection to meet His Lord at last (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). He will be missed by family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in George's name by copying and pasting the following link into your web browser. https://foundationoutreachintl.org/get-involved

George's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.