Charles DuWayne Mead of Lawrence, Kansas, died Sunday Feb. 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 from 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 to 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 to 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.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date.
Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com.
