Ballston Lake, NY - John Daniel Meader (Jack) passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday February 18, 2016.  Jack grew up in Schenectady, N.Y., and excelled in academics and sports.

As youth Jack became an Eagle Scout and was the youngest on record in New York State.  He received a letter of commendation from then New York State governor Thomas E. Dewey complimenting him for his achievement.  Beyond Eagle Scout, he earned three Palms: Bronze, Silver and Gold.  He was active in other youth organizations and spent many summers at the Schenectady YMCA Camp Chingachgook on Lake George.

Jack was a graduate of Nott Terrace High School in 1949 (Schenectady) and a graduate of The Hill School Preparatory School 1950 in Pottstown, PA.  Awarded an athletic scholarship, he graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Political Science 1954. Jack also received a professional certificate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) In Management Engineering.  He worked as a sales engineer for Albany Felt Co. (now Albany International) in Albany, NY from 1954 to 1959 and graduated from Cornell University Law School with a J.D. in 1962 where he was also the assistant track coach from 1959 to 1962.

He was admitted to the New York State, Ohio, and Florida State Bar. In 1964 he won the Republican primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York's 29th District but was defeated by incumbent Rep. Leo O'Brien.  He was assistant Attorney General of New York State from 1965 to 1968, Corporation Counsel for GE in Schenectady from 1969 to 1977, General Counsel for Glidden Division of SCM Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio from 1977 to 1981, He was President and Chairman of the Board of the Applied Power Technology Company (APTCO) in Jacksonville, Florida from 1981 to 1984 and President of Applied Energy, Inc., Ballston Spa, NY from 1984 to 1988.

Jack was a Lt. Colonel in the United States Army Reserve and was Deputy Staff Judge Advocate in the 3rd US Army JAG Corp - US Central Command.  He was awarded the US Army Commendation Medal and was also the Senior Colonel, Comptroller, and Military Judge in the New York State Guard.  Jack was a Judge for the NYS Department of Social Services and from 1988 until his death, he was an Administrative Law Judge for the New York State Workers Compensation Board in Menands, NY.

Jack was a natural athlete. He was the National AAU High School 1000 Yard Indoor Champion in 1949, National AAU Prep School 440 and 880 Yard Indoor Track Champion in 1950, National AAU Outstanding Performer Award, Millrose Games Association in 1950, and Heptagonal Track 880 Yard Champion in 1954.  Jack also won the 1948 Grout Run and was honored in 2013 to be the guest starter for the 75th Annual Grout Run.  Jack was a candidate for the 1952 U.S. Olympic Team, but was unable to participate due to an injury.  Jack was also the announcer at the William F. Eddy Jr. Memorial Track Meet sponsored by the Schenectady Police Department Benevolent Association (PBA) for fifty seven years and he will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame (HOF) of the Schenectady City School District on September 12, 2016.

Jack was born in Ballston Spa, N.Y. October 22, 1931, one of five children born to Jerome Clement and Doris Luella (Conner) Meader.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Joel William Meader, and his brother-in-law Joel Anthony Fonda.

He is survived by his former wife, Joyce Margaret Cowin of Scotia, NY, his three children: John Daniel (Kimberly) Meader Jr., Rancho Santa Fe, CA, Julia Rae (John) Rogan of Staten Island, NY; Keith Alan Meader of Schenectady, NY, and his four grandchildren, John Daniel Meader III, William Arthur Meader, Emerson Grace Rogan and Quinn Brielle Rogan.  He is survived by his siblings, Jerome Clement (Elna) Meader of  Brant Lake, NY, Jane Nye (Anton Solomon) of Ballston Lake, NY, Nancy Abigail  Fonda of Saratoga Springs, NY, his sister-in-law, Eva Jane Meader of Rexford, NY, and a nephew and several nieces.

Jack cherished his family and friends. Demonstrated in numerous ways, Jack's generosity was felt by family, friends, and community. His unending repertoire of jokes, appropriate to any occasion, with his contagious laugh will endure forever.

An open house celebration of his life will be held at the William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY on March 13, 1:00 pm to 4:00pm . Anyone wishing to share a verbal remembrance is invited to do so between 3:00 and 4:00. An informal family and friends burial will be held May 15th, 2016 at the Fairmount, Cemetery in Quaker Springs, N.Y.


The family request that any memorial donations in memory of John D. Meader be sent to Yale University '54 Fund, c/o Russ Reynolds, Jr., 600 Steamboat Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com