Ryan, your comments are right on the money. Gary did "his thing" — no one else's! I worked with him on giving away GMC Trucks at his events in P-Town and he was always a gentleman and a businessman. He never forgot your name and always said hello when he saw you. He was a man's man and a true Hot Rodder. He was truly a "Goodguy" and will be missed by many.
A nice tribute Ryan. Personally for me for the last 24 years at the Heartland Nationals July 4th weekend, pretty much each year, I was able to spend some moments with Gary and enjoyed eyeing a car or two together and enjoying the show. Always laughed each year about over 20 years ago (I think the second year ) Gary buying a pair of NOS 670-15 M&H Racemaster scalloped slicks I had that he wanted for his Hot Rod Nash. Said perfect size. The guy lived his dream. This last year was nice to say Hello to Marilyn as well. I just liked the guy.
R.I.P. Gary-----I have always enjoyed the goodguys, and have never missed one in Des Moines since they started----you will be missed !!
Knew him before the GG and with GG. Hell of a business man, amazing visionary, and a real friend to hundreds of "regular folks and celebrities". He will be missed.
Got to know him when I started vending Good Guys events in the 90's. Always amazed me how he never forgot a name or face. Spoke with him at the Sheraton during breakfast at the last LARS. A true hot rodder and gentleman. RIP
I never had the pleasure of meeting Gary, but everyone that I know that had the pleasure said he was a true gentleman, and a good guy. We just keep loosing good people, RIP Gary
I have been attending GoodGuys events off and on for years, never have I not had a goodtime! Some better than others but always good. I never met the man in person, but by attending a lot of the events that his organization has put on you can just tell the person behind the shows pulling the ropes, knew how to let car shows be a family event! God Speed Mr. Meadors and Rest In Peace prayers and condolences to family and friends! Joe
RIP,Gary..... Tried never to miss the Columbus Show, and went to others whenever I could. I think GoodGuys gave you a lot of fun for your money , and all of the event staff were helpful car guys first and foremost - something that was inspired by Gary. You will be sorely missed, my friend.....
Great Guy - loved cars - a real car guy we Drag raced with Good-guys program back in day - Gary was always there - we ran the big white 49 4x4 - great fun - loved doing burn-out's for the kids
Gary was a great guy, and a car guy to the core. I met him repeatedly over the years and had a great deal of respect for him, he done a lot for our hobby and it will continue to grow and prosper thanks to him and the GG organization. He will be sadly missed and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
I meet Gary in the 1970s at the ladies day rod run in p-town with freinds Bill Burnham,an Jerry Lierman . . A year later he was at Formoso doing a VW event and like a lot of people have said remembered me . He always stopped at my swap space at the LA Roadsters Fathers day event to chat for a min. God Speed Gary Ron Raines "The Bakersfield Boy"
Prayers and Condolences to all. Hopefully there will be others to fill in for those that have been lost this past year! Thanks Ryan
This is so sad. As I said on another thread, I always thought Gary was much younger than his years, he always had that spark of contagious enthusiasm for his love of Hot Rods that you couldn't resist. He was such a part of this hobby that we never thought he would leave us so soon. Like everyone has said, Gary was all Hot Rods, all the time and a genuine Good Guy. He would pay us a visit here in Prescott every so often and we would put on a big garage tour for him and anyone else that wanted to tag along. This year there were over thirty cars that made the trip up, even though the weather wasn't the greatest. Gary even had the misfortune of his '40 Ford breaking an axle and losing a wheel on the way up here but after sending it home on a rollback, he hitched a ride with someone else and still made it here with a smile on his face. On one of his visits a few years ago he told us that he didn't care if he saw a guy with a home-built hot rod in a single stall garage or a guy with a fleet of cars, he wanted to see them all and treated them as equals. He said he really enjoyed the guys that were wrenching and building their own stuff, and then driving the wheels off of them. This year he asked me how the hell I was able to collect so damn much stuff! Gary always supported us at the Mid-West Deuce Club and our Deuce Doins has become a fixture at the GoodGuys events. The club was originally affiliated the NSRA, but were unwelcome there eventually. Their beef was our sale of club t-shirts at their events. We joined up with GoodGuys and never looked back. Gary never had a problem with that as you can see in this picture I took of him and Marilyn at the Des Moines Deuce Doins event in 2014. We're going to miss you Gary and your great smile, our thoughts are with Marilyn and your family.
Memorial for Gary Meadors February 14 - Sunday- approx Noon Blackhawk Museum 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle Danville, CA check Goodguys on Facebook to confirm this
To elaborate on @Jalopy Joker's post ... from the GOODGUY's website: Join us as we celebrate the life of Gary "Goodguy" Meadors All Are Welcome Bring a cool car! We will have approx. 200 parking spots for rods & customs When: Sunday, February 14th, 2016 – 1pm Where: Blackhawk Museum, 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, California 94506 - map it Attire: Semi-Casual For those flying in from out of town, it is recommended you use Oakland International Airport. In lieu of flowers, the Meadors family requests you make a donation for the direct replacement of salt initiatives to the Save the Salt Foundation. Please send and make checks or other gifts payable to : Save The Salt C/O Russe Eyres 3673 Millikin Street San Diego, CA Or, click on the following link to make a direct, online donation: http://www.savethesalt.org/donate.html
In preparation for Sunday's "Celebration Of Life", Gary's '29 Roadster has been moved into the Blackhawk Museum:
The Jalopy Journal
