Charles DuWayne Mead of Lawrence, Kansas, died Sunday February 9, 2025, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital surrounded by family.
He was born April, 7, 1936, to Oliver Abner and Clara Mae Mead in Cherokee, Kansas. He grew up with his four siblings on East 13th Street in Pittsburg, Kansas, and graduated Pittsburg High School, where he was a star athlete, in 1954.
On March 15, 1955, Mr. Mead married Lois Faye Wynes of Nevada, Missouri.
Mr. Mead served in the US Army from 1954-1956 in the 32nd Infantry Regiment in Korea. Upon his return to civilian life he attended Pittsburg State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in education in 1960. He secured a teaching job in the Linwood (now Shawnee Mission) school district as a physical education and social studies teacher. In 1965 he earned his master’s degree from Pittsburg State University.
In 1970 Mr. Mead moved his family, now including Charles Lynn (1960) and Kristy Kay (1962), to Lawrence, Kansas, where he became physical education consultant for Lawrence School District 497, eventually establishing a PE program for all Lawrence schools.
He inspired and educated generations of students in Shawnee Mission and Lawrence over three decades of teaching, during which he remained dedicated to fairness and inclusion, becoming a beloved figure in the community. In 1992 he earned a Doctor of Education degree (PhD EdD) from the University of Kansas and acquired the nickname “Doc.” He retired from the school district in 1992 with the title of health and physical education coordinator, serving the entire
school district.
Over the years, Mr. Mead was active in Breakfast Optimist Club, Trail Riders Saddle Club, Elks Club, and Kanza 4-H Club. From 1973-1980 he played bass guitar with the family’s country music band, The Family Tree, consisting of his wife, Lois, his father-in law, JC Wynes, his brother-in-law Larry Wynes, and his son, Chuck.
His involvement in youth athletics and physical education extended beyond his role at Lawrence schools: He also served as an official at the Kansas Relays for many years, coached Little League Baseball, officiated high school basketball and football games, and umpired women’s fast pitch softball. An avid golfer after his retirement, Mr. Mead shot 12 witnessed holes-in-one.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Lois Faye Mead, son Chuck Mead (Brenda Colladay), daughter Kristy Bailey (Scott Bailey), brother Harold Mead (Margaret Mead), brother-in-law Linn Wynes, (Linda Wynes), sister-in-law Shirley Wynes, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is also survived by members of the weekly poker game he began over 30 years ago, and the “Deck 9 Gang” on the annual Country Music Cruise.
Celebration of Life Services for Charles D. Chuck Mead, 88, Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Raymond A Schwegler Elementary, in the Gymnasium, 2201 Ousdahl Rd, Lawrence, KS 66046.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society at https://www.classy.org/give/409518/#!/donation/checkout
I sure had a lot of good times with Chuck! He always treated me like family. We will all miss him.
As others have mentioned, if you are roughly my age, and you attended Elementary School in USD 497, you were SO excited for “Mr Mead Days”! What fantastic memories, and what a lasting positive impact on all of us in those activities Mr Mead was famous for conducting. He encouraged us to participate and to grow. How many of us started the journey to self-confidence in those events? Thank you, Mr Mead! Later, I was very fortunate to know and to work with Kristy and Chuck. They too were very impactful positive influences on all of us that knew them. Thank you Lois and Mr Mead! To Lois, Chuck, Kristy and the rest of the family: the deeper the positive impact of a person, the greater the initial grief. So please know from all of us, that we are grateful and very thankful for all of you sharing Mr Mead with us! We miss this wonderful and true life-changing difference-maker!
Lois and Family: So sad to hear about Chuck. He was a good, good man who so strongly supported his family and so many others. May the blessing of his life and all your wonderful memories together always sustain you.
Sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed Chuck and family. He seemed to always have a smile and a laugh. Lois and family are in my prayers.
What a great man! He was so kind and always had a smile! Prayers for his family whom I love dearly.
To Chuck, Brenda, and family, our sincere condolences for your loss.
Peggy and I moved to Lawrence in the fall of 2001. I was playing golf at the Orchards with Chuck, Art, and Joe in the spring of 2002 thanks to the kindness of Chuck. He introduced me to many Sr. golfers at Eagle bend and really helped me get acquainted. He even invited me to a show featuring son Chuck whom he was very proud of.. A nice guy and good friend that I will always remember.
So sorry Chuck mead the son. I got too talk too your dad on phone at my brother’s house about you he was so kind to me , sorry for your loss and your sister amen too him your dad
It was a pleasure to work with Chuck as he pursued his Doctorate from the Univesity of Kansas. My cildren enjoy his physical education classes at Deerfield School where Mr. Mead taught.
Lois, Chucky and Kristy, I’m so Sorry for your Loss! Chuck was one of the nice’s Men I ever knew!
Lois, Chuck and Kristy, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. He was a great man. Deepest condolences to all of you
Chuck,
Very sorry for your loss.
Wow, what a life! I never met a nicer family. May he rest in peace.
I feel for you all and lament the death of my mentor. I owe my teaching career to the interest Chuck took in me. I would never have been able to teach in Lawrence if it wasn’t for him. And what fun it was to sit in on poker nights!
Our hearts are with you Lois, we always enjoyed Chuck at Johnny’s North & his delight in your performances with the Beer Bellies. Condolences to all of the family.
My heartfelt condolences to your entire family. Wishing you all peace in your hearts.
Mike and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband and father. Condolences to the family.
Condolences family, I’m so sorry for your loss. He was one of kind.
Peace and love to you all
My heart breaks for the entire family. So many fond memories of Doc, from my childhood years when his P.E. visits to Kennedy Elementary were eagerly anticipated by me and all my classmates, to adulthood when Doc and Mama Mead were regulars on the LFK music scene. Know that I and so many others cherish his memory, and hold you all in our hearts. Much love to you all.
My condolences to your family Chuck. Blessings of peace and comfort.