The Don Meadows Donation Page
In my many years in this hobby, I've come to know a lot of amazing and talented people. Don Meadows is certainly one of them. In addition to being an RC Submarine Skipper, he's also a very talented static model builder, and has also produced a ton of other artistic and beautiful products such as custom ballpoint pens made from authentic wood scavenged from real submarines, replica dolphins and much more. Don charged next to nothing for his superb models, choosing instead to bring the memories of boats served on to past dolphin holders at a price that they could afford.
A while back, Don started having fatigue, and a host of other symptoms. In the end, he was finally diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas lining. On top of this, he was then told he had Conjunctive Heart Failure, and AFIB. He was diagnosed with diabetes. He was diagnosed with Autonomic Dysfunction. The system that controls functions of the heart and other organs began sending random shut down or overdrive commands to his body. He lost the ability to sweat.
After the diagnoses, it took two years to get his social security.
Now, with a terminal diagnosis from the doctors, Don just wants to have a functional RC submarine to spend his days with. To that end, I have decided to donate to him my gorgeous, fully built 1/64 scale US Balao model. I am also trying to help him and his family out as much as possible by setting up a donation platform here at the Nautilus Drydocks.
Please dig deep. Be generous in this time of thankfulness for what we have been given.
Don's Background:
Born in Beckley WV, Don's father was a minister. He graduated from Edward Lee McLain high in 1981 and attended Write State University in Dayton Ohio. He let me know that back then, he thought GPA stood for Girls, Parties, and Alcohol.
Shortly after, he joined the Navy. After basic training he went to Naval Submarine School and was then assigned to the Nuclear Fast Attack Submarine USS RAY, SSN 653. He completed submarine qualification and was awarded his Dolphins on 17 October 1982. In May of 1986, he was aboard the Ray when it surfaced along with two other US submarines at the North Pole.
Following Sea Duty, he was transferred to NAVAL SUV MARINE TORPEDO FACULTY in Charleston SC . During this time he was team leader of the after body tail cone division of the Mk 48 TORPEDO. It was during this tour that he met and married Miss Susan Ballard.
From there he went to USS DALLAS SSN, serving DALLAS during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. When he went again to shore duty, he became Facility Manager for four of Naval Submarine School buildings. While at Sub School he was advanced to Chief Perry Officer.
In his last year of being in Springfield, his wife's brother was murdered. Life started going down hill. His wife wasn't doing well, his kids were having issues processing these things, and her parents were unable to function. His enlistment was up, so after 18 years, Don left the Navy.
He moved back to Charleston. After what he terms as "scraping bottom:, he finally landed the job as Chief Engineer for Hilton Hotels. Thanks to retired Adm. Flattley, he also joined the reserve. He was able to retire in 2006.
