Daniel Joseph Meddock, 78
Daniel Joseph Meddock, 78, kind and loving husband, family man and loyal friend passed away peacefully Sept. 12, 2022, in Salem, Ore., from multiple myeloma cancer.
Born July 4, 1944, in Bonners Ferry, to Fred and Bessie Wyatt Meddock, Dan grew up believing the celebration and fireworks on the 4th were for his birthday and continued to remind us of that every year.
Growing up in Bonners, Dan was well-liked. In fact his first-grade teacher liked him so well that she asked him to redo the first grade, along with several other boys, who preferred riding horses and playing cowboys to going back to school after lunch.
Dan was a natural athlete and leader in school, lettering in multiple sports, attending Boys State and serving as Student Body President, while working part time (full time in the summers … say railroad anyone?) saving for college. His leadership, organization and love of people continued throughout his adult life in organizing his class reunions until the last few years.
In spite of flunking the first grade, Dan completed his education with multiple degrees from North Idaho College and Eastern Washington University choosing education for his life’s work. In fact, his first teaching assignment was at Naples Grade School where he taught two grades in one classroom and learned the power of planning and preparation, which served him well throughout his career and life.
In 1965, Dan married his high school sweetheart, Lois Ann Dunning. They had two children, Melissa Ann and Scott Daniel.
Though a Bonners Ferry guy through and through, Dan’s occupational path in education took him to Oregon’s Lake Oswego High School teaching and coaching basketball, before moving several years later to the Beaverton School District where he retired from Westview High School administration in 1999. Dan also enjoyed his years as pitcher for the Open Sea’s Men’s Fast Pitch Softball Team in Oregon.
In 1991, Dan met and fell in love with Katie Neal. They married in 1993 and were inseparable best friends from day one, spending more than 31 years side-by-side through life’s adventures and challenges.
In 1999, upon Dan’s retirement, they built the home of their dreams in Naples, Idaho. While living there, Dan began coaching basketball at Bonners Ferry High School, taking the boy’s team to state.
In 2003, family illness and desire to be closer to kids and grandkids, took them to McMinnville, Ore., followed by a move in 2020 to a 55-plus community in Dallas, Ore.
Dan was diagnosed with cancer in June 2022. In spite of the illness, he remained unbelievably positive, loving and continued to rely on his sense of humor through those trying months. His love of family and friends, his kindness and caring for others remained important to him always.
Dan is survived by his wife, Katie of Dallas, Ore.; daughter Melissa Larson; and three grandsons, Miles, Calvin and Isaac of Hillsboro, Ore.; son Scott Meddock; granddaughter Cece of Portland, Ore.; siblings Judy Everhart and Gary Meddock of Bonners Ferry, Bonnie Nieman of Sandpoint, Rick and wife Jodi Meddock of Spokane; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please do a kind deed for someone in need or perhaps make a donation to the Boundary County Museum, 7229 Main St., Bonners Ferry, ID 83805, in Dan’s name.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2023, in Bonners Ferry at the Becker Auditorium. Thank you to all who visited Dan in his final months of life. He loved each of you!