Meredith W. Anthony

Meredith William “Duke” Anthony was born October 14, 1945, in Richmond, Virginia. His parents were Mattie and William Anthony. Mattie and William are both deceased. He is survived by a younger brother Preston Anthony. The family moved from Richmond, VA to Denver, CO in 1957. While in high school, Duke joined ROTC. This would be an important time as this would define his future. The family moved again from Denver, CO to Queens, NY in 1963. Duke graduated from high school in 1964 from Andrew Jackson High School in Hollis Queens, NY. Duke from an early age was fascinated with all things as to how they worked. He would take a part clocks/watches, to learn how they worked then put them back together to fix and repair them. He later took apart an entire car engine. He painstaking put it back together so it would be in good working condition. Duke enlisted in the Army in September of 1964 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. As he earlier joined ROTC, he made squad leader that he remained throughout the duration of his Basic training. His first duty station was Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He trained as a Topographic Surveyor. Duke picked this job as initially he thought it was a form of drafting which was an area that he loved. Later on, he found out this was not the case, but he enjoyed his training. After completing his training, he went to Libya then eventually Iran. It was during this time that Duke had his first encounter with truly roughing it and sleeping outdoors under the stars. Duke was not necessary a fan of sleeping outside but as his usual he meets the challenges of the day and thrived. Duke was in the military for six years before he meets the love of his life, Barbara Joyce Deacon who later become Barbara Joyce Anthony. Duke meet Barbara through his brother – Preston and sister – in – law, Leslie Anthony. They meet in January 1970 and were married December 19, 1970. The first two years of their marriage they had their niece Brenda with them to help Barbara’s sister get on her feet. Later Patricia was born 1973 and Frederick “Troy” in 1975. Duke served his country in the US Army for 26 years. During his 26 years of service CW4 Anthony served in unique and diversified survey positions, worldwide. As a Non-Commissioned Officer, he served in positions such as a Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant and even spent a 4-year tour in Tehran, Iran as NCOIC of Base Camp Survey Operations. After his appointment to Warrant Officer in 1975 served as an instructor at the Defense Mapping School. He later served as Platoon Leader and Detachment Commander of different organizations. While assigned to the U.S. Army Engineer School he was responsible for the development of training programs in topography and the field of the Topographic Support Systems throughout the Army. He also acted as Senior Military Advisor/Liaison to Software Contractors for Troop Support Command while assigned to the Directorate of Training and Development. Overseas assignments included Iran, Korea, Hawaii with duties in German, Okinawa, Panama, and Japan. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Join Service Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal – 3rd Award, NCO Development Ribbon – 2nd Award, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon 4th Award. When he retired as CW4 Senior Topographic Warrant Officer IV the Army, he was the last remaining Survey Technician on active duty with the phasing out of the Survey Warrant positions. Duke was not only a celebrated military Non-Commissioned Officer, but he later returned to school Strayer University to earn his Computer Information Science degree that then led to a career in IT as a LAN Administrator working for the NAVSEA – Northrup Grumman contractor until his 10-year retirement to take care of his beloved wife, Barbara. Barbara would later pass due to an extended illness in August 2012. Duke throughout his varied careers was a man who loved to be there for his family. He was a kind, loving, quiet and thoughtful individual. He spent from the time of meeting his wife became part of an extended family of the Gibbs/Deacons that would travel between his deployments to help anytime needed with his parents in Queens, NY or when the move to Denver, CO in that late 80s. He would travel to Florence, NJ to help his mother-in-law Doris or his Aunt Ruby Tuskegee, AL. Duke was the always the first one to volunteer his help to the family as he was a carpenter, handy man, thinker, or mover. If you needed him, he would be there and make the time for family. Family was always at the core of him. He would travel to Washington, DC, Richmond, VA and /or wherever he was needed. He and his beloved Barbara were always the first to lend their help financially, physically, emotionally, or mentally. The numbers 3504 & 4504 were always numbers that you could count on for when you needed help. Duke was always a teacher to his children. Who regardless of his location, he made a point to keep his parenting style involved when there was no FaceTime of video chats. He was an avid letter writer, best card sender, and best surprise artist as he would make pop ups to let his family know he was always there. There were constant call homes to make sure his kids knew what was expected. When Duke retired, he became an involved parent. Sometimes to the chagrin a too involved parent. His favorite activities were to be a loving husband, loving dad, loving uncle and the best Pa Pa to his grands. His grandchildren saw the best in him with all his smiles and always a phone call away. Pa Pa regardless of the location would be there Woodbridge, VA; Raleigh/Cary, NC; Huntsville, AL; Wesley Chapel, FL. Surviving are his brother Preston E. Anthony and sister-in-law Bernie Anthony of Denver, CO, his daughter Patricia “Tricia” Anthony of Wesley Chapel, FL, his son Frederick “Troy” Anthony of Woodbridge, VA. His niece Crystal Anthony of Denver, CO. His grandchildren Brooke Lindsay Anthony, Bryce William Jefferson, Mikayla Aubrey Anthony and Blair Joyce Anthony and numerous relatives.

Tributes

Meredith W. Anthony

December 28, 2021