Fred Meachum

Fred Meachum, a lifelong resident of Kansas City’s Northland, passed away November 18, 2023, after an extended battle with brain cancer. Born July 31, 1963, Fred truly loved and lived the fullest of lives. Fred made a lasting impression on those he met. An affable and outgoing man, he rarely met a stranger. Fred tended to make unforgettable first impressions – mostly good, occasionally the opposite, but never indifferent.

The lucky ones – those who became close to Fred – were treated to a life that rarely experienced a dull moment. Fred’s joyful, wonderful, bold, exciting– yet perpetually humble – approach to life, left an unforgettable legacy, one that will forever be etched in the hearts and memories of those who knew him.

Many will remember Fred as the man who brought Minsky’s Pizza to Kansas City’s Northland. Over the course of more than 30 years with Minsky’s, Fred was always a champion for the Northland, opening Minsky’s Barry Road East, City Market and Liberty locations while also overseeing operations for Minsky’s Barry Road West location. 

Fred was truly passionate about expanding Minsky’s in the Northland and delighted in making friends with the hundreds of wonderful employees he hired over the decades and thousands upon thousands of customers he got to know over the years. It was important to Fred to give back to the community that he loved so much, which Fred demonstrated by sharing time withlocal charities, often helping to plan charity golf events, andthrough work with the Derrick Thomas Third and Long Foundation where Fred became an honorary board member.

Fred was a graduate of Park Hill High School and went on to study at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield where he earned a degree in Horticulture. Fred would admit that some of his wildest days were in Springfield where he joined Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity – a place where he formed lifetime friendships with a group of fraternity brothers that he remained close to for the rest of his life.

To know Fred was to know a man that loved everythingassociated with the game of golf. Fred was an avid player and,as a young man with a horticulture degree, Fred tended to the health and wellbeing of fairways and greens of both WindbrookGolf Course and Hodge Park. Over the years Fred played in a wide variety of charity golf tournaments. But his true joy on the links came from playing the game with his father, brothers, andcountless friends.

Fred was a Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holder and proudly never missed a game. Many an early fall and winter Sunday morning was spent hosting amazing tailgate parties for family and friends – his well-equipped RV always in top form for Arrowhead game days.

One of Fred's greatest joys was traveling in his RV. He loved his“big bus” and was a natural behind the wheel. Along with his wife, Dana, son Samuel, and often joined by his nephew Kevin, Fred traversed a fair amount of the country – including an Alaskan roadtrip of a lifetime, where Fred had the joy of navigating the “Top of the World” highway. Along with enjoying the adventure of numerous RV trips, Fred was also a true outdoorsman – exhibited by his love of camping, the greatoutdoors, fishing, hiking and an occasional hunting trip with his many friends.

Fred’s journey on this planet may have come to an end on November 18th, but his spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those whose hearts he touched.

Fred was preceded in death by his father: Joseph (Peggy) Meachum, mother: Patricia Haylan, and grandparents. Surviving Fred are his wife: Dana Meachum and son: Samuel; as well as his sister: Jennifer (Jim) Plahuta, brother: Joe (Pam) Meachum, sister: Jean (Peter) Barratt, sister: Tiri Weber, sister: Tina(Meachum) Taylor, brother: James Meachum, stepbrother: Rick (Mary) Simon, and step sister: Karla Mullins; many nieces, nephews, cousins and many longtime friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made the Derrick Thomas Third and Long Foundation in honor of Fred.