Barbara Jean Meints

Growing up in San Francisco, she enjoyed spending her summers with her mother’s family in Oregon. After high school, she worked as a telephone operator in San Francisco. She married Billy Kook Meints August 7, 1949 in Palo Alto, California. Together they lived in Naples, Italy and Atsugi, Japan and many other places while Bill did his military service. After Bill retired from active duty, they settled in Yelm, Washington to raise their sons. Here, she worked as a secretary at the Yelm middle school where she could keep an eye on her sons.

Barbara traveled the world with Bill and lived in many places during their retirement including Lake Tahoe CA, Placerville CA and Albuquerque NM. They explored the country as full time RV-ers for 5 years before settling down in the Texas hill country. When they grew tired of the Texas heat, they lived on Anderson Island WA and in the Tacoma, Washington area for over 20 years.

Barbara was active in many service organizations over the years: Cub Scouts, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Order of the Eastern Star, Cattlewoman’s Association in Boerne, Boerne Chamber of Commerce, and the Kerrville Hospital. Later in life, she was proud to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution society.

Her hobbies include baking, gardening, reading, skiing and walking.

Barbara was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, role model and patriot. Her proudest accomplishment was raising three service sons with Bill. Their sons are all Eagle Scouts and graduates of US military academies.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Kook Meints; parents and brother Donald Hollen.

She is survived by sons Jeff (Susan), Randy (Mayumi), Doug (partner Jessica); grandchildren: Tyler Meints and Kelly Meints Mitchell (Chris); and two great granddaughters (Leona and Mara Mitchell).

Barbara’s celebration of Life will be private. Internment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery at 18600 SE 24th Street, Kent, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to Eliseo Helping Hands.