The Passing Of John Meetz, Former NCA Executive VP
John Meetz, who served as Executive Vice President of the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) and the National Cattlemen’s Association (NCA), passed away at his Wichita, Kan., home on October 2. Meetz, 73, was born in Newton, Kan., and grew up on the family farm near Walton, Kan.
Meetz received his B.S. and M.S. from the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University where he continued a lifelong love for the Wildcats. Early in his career he served on the KS Board of Agriculture, as manager for the Harvey Co. Fair and as livestock judging coach at Western Illinois University.
Meetz was at KLA from 1970 to 1984, and at NCA from 1984 to 1990. While at NCA, he played a prominent role in directing the successful effort that led to passage of the Beef Promotion and Research Act in 1985 which created the national $1.00 per head beef checkoff. He was recognized as Stockman of the Year in 1984 by Kansas State University’s Livestock and Meat Industry Council.
Meetz moved on to various positions in the cattle industry, serving as VP for Koch Beef Company in Wichita, VP and founding partner of Future Beef Operations in Arkansas City and as a consultant for dozens of business ventures in the agricultural and cattle industries. Most recently, he acquired The Alternative Board (TAB) of SC Kansas and acted as owner/CEO.
Meetz loved K-State sports, golfing and spending time sharing those activities with friends and loved ones. John was active in national and local politics and relished the opportunity to share time with entrepreneurs in the Wichita business community. He was active in the UsTOO Wichita Chapter and the Church of the Magdalen. Meetz also served as noble ruler of Alpha Gamma Rho at K-State, as livestock judge, board member and superintendent for the American Royal Livestock Show and was a member of the American Society of Association Executives.
Meetz married Margaret Rose O’Bryan on September 28, 1968 at St. Patrick’s Church in Walnut, KS and on Friday, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their four children, Carla (Dylan) Bolden, Kelly Meetz, John Henry (Carissa) Meetz and Molly Meetz. He will be dearly missed by his five grandchildren, Jack, Anna, Claire, Jemma and Charlie and his sister, Betty Youk.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gladys and Harry, brother James and brother-in-law, Gaylen Youk.
Rosary services will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Downing and Lahey East Mortuary, 6555 E Central Ave, Wichita, KS. Funeral services will take place 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Magdalen, 12626 E 21st St N, Wichita. Burial will follow at Walton Cemetery at 1:30 pm.
Memorial contributions in John’s name may be directed to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202