Lieutenant Commander Eric Mallory (Rick) Mead, USN Ret., passed away suddenly on January 29, 2012. He was born in Lakehurst, New Jersey, and raised as a navy brat. In 1976, Rick graduated from the University of Louisville. He enjoyed being an officer in the university’s Navy ROTC program and was immediately commissioned as an officer in the Navy. Rick moved to Corpus Christi, Texas for flight school and received his wings on July 7, 1978. While in flight school, Rick was set up on a blind date with Crystal Vorndam. It took her six years and two deployments to get him to marry her, but she finally bagged him on November 26th, 1983. Rick and Crystal had six moves in 11 years and finally came back to Corpus Christi, Texas for his twilight tour.
After retirement from the Navy, Rick went to work for CCISD as an NJROTC instructor. He served at Moody High School for three years, followed by 14 years at W. B. Ray High School. Commanding his unit wasn’t only Rick’s job, it was his ministry. He didn’t just teach Naval Science, drilling, and shooting. He witnessed students developing leadership, parenting, and life skills. For many of the cadets, Rick was a father figure, mentor, guide, and role model. In addition to his two biological children, Rick had thousands of young men and women he thought of as though they were also his kids. He worried about their struggles; he was proud of their successes and valued the character and the experiences he helped them build. In a way that only a loving father could, he always referred to them as his “knuckleheads.”
In his Naval career, Rick flew P-3’s and various training aircraft. He flew in several conflicts including the first Gulf War. Throughout his years of service, Rick earned numerous awards recognizing his service, valor, and duty to his country. He was predeceased by his parents Cdr. Robert and Jean Mead. He is survived by his loving wife, Crystal Mead, and his daughters, Kathleen (Jacob) Fisher and Sandra Mead; and his precious granddaughter, Molly Jo Fisher, along with a niece and six nephews. Rick is also survived by his brothers Robert Mead Jr., of Orlando, Florida, and Thomas (Sharon) Mead of Palm Bay, Florida. Rick is also survived by the thousands of cadets who came through his NJROTC programs at Moody and Ray High Schools. They are his hope, vision, and flag bearers for the future of our community and country. Pallbearers include Jacob Fisher, Anthony Abarca, Bill Thau, Doug Walker, Russell Whitehead, and Troy Cook. Honorary pallbearers will be the NJROTC cadets from Ray High School. There will be a reception and viewing with family present at Corpus Christi Funeral Home, 2409 Baldwin Blvd. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at First United Methodist Church on Shoreline Blvd. at 3 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church.
https://www.corpuschristifh.com/tributes/Eric-Mead
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Larry Hames
AVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com
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