Bermond Joseph Meaut

Lt. Colonel Bermond J. Meaut, U. S. Army, Retired, of Biloxi, MS, died Saturday, January 23, 2010, after a brief illness. Colonel Meaut, a life long Biloxian, was born October 10, 1917, to Edwin Louis Meaut and Annie Vivian Catchot Meaut. He was of the Roman Catholic Faith and a generous member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral Parish. He had many friends among the clergy and religious sisters of the Diocese of Biloxi. Colonel Meaut graduated from Biloxi High School in 1939 where he was captain of the football team. He was a member of TKO fraternal organization. He attended Perkinston Junior College and graduated from Southern College of Morticians in 1941. Colonel Meaut served his country during three wars; World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Colonel Meaut entered the U. S. Army in February of 1941. After achieving the rank of Corporal, he attended Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant in August 1942. He then attended Parachute School graduating in September 1942. In October 1942, he was assigned to the 456th Parachute Test Battery at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During World War II, he served in Europe three times having served in the 376th Airborn Artillery, and 82nd Airborne Division with two combat jumps to his credit. During World War II Meaut fought in six major campaigns in Europe, Rome-Arno, Rhineland, Central Europe, Normandy, Sicily and Ardennes. Colonel Meaut's decorations awarded include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, French Fourragere, Belgium Fourragere, Dutch Lanyard, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation and Campaign Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Medal. Meaut also belongs to the Airborne Century Club with 163 jumps. Returning to Biloxi in 1946, he was employed by Bradford Funeral Home as a funeral director. He has retained memership in the Mississippi Director's Association. Meaut returned to active duty in September 1950. He was assigned to the 631st Armored Field Artillery Battalion in Hammelburg, Germany. From September 1954 until May 1955 he was assigned to Headquarters, 66th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas. In October 1955, Major Meaut attended the Field Artillery Officer Advance course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Upon completion of this school, he was assigned to Headquarters, Division Artillery, 4th Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. From May 1956 to April 1958 he was assigned duties as artillery advisor, Field Training Team 2A Konya, Turkey. In May 1958 his next assignment was with the 101st Airborn Division at Fort Cambell, Kentucky. On 12 July 1960 Meaut became the Commanding Officer of the Command and Control Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division until 1 February 1961, at which time he returned to Europe and was assigned duties as Executive Officer of the 16th Artillery Battalion. He became Battalion Commander of the 16th Artillery Battalion in Baumholder, Germany. During his military career of twenty-two years, Meaut and his wife, Mary, displayed a special interest in their army community by participating in a number of community welfare projects and by supporting church activities. After his military retirement in August 1967, he was employed by Gulf National Life Insurance Company. In retirement, Colonel Meaut enjoyed gardening on the property of his dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Holmes. He volunteered his talents at Nativity B.V.M. Elementary School, St. Alphonsus Parish in Ocean Springs and enjoyed daily visits with his many friends in Biloxi and Ocean Springs. He was a life member of Biloxi Elks Lodge #606 and was, for many years, active with the American Red Cross. For many years he and his wife, Mary, enjoyed attending Louisiana State University football games with his dear friends, Joe and Pat Dale. He and his wife, Mary, received a Certification of Appreciation from the City of Biloxi and Mr. Meaut received Bishop's Service Cross from the Diocese of Biloxi for volunteer services. Meaut was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, the former Mary Ellen Mon; and sons, Bermond J. "Tiger" Meaut, Jr. and Michael Wayne Meaut, both of Biloxi; grandson, Joseph Andrew Meaut of North Carolina; his parents, Edwin Louis Meaut and Annie Vivian Catchot Meaut; his brother, Edwin Louis Meaut, Jr. and sister-in-law, Lovie; his brother-in-law, Louis Demourelle and his sister-in-law, Carolyn Mon Beben Whitehouse. He is survived by his sister, Emily Meaut Demourelle; two daughters-in-law, DeAnne L. Meaut and Sandra Ashley Meaut; grandsons, Michael Lawrence Meaut, and Marc Meaut; granddaughter, Laura Meaut, Step granddaughters, Cindy Teets and Cheryl Flanagan; five great grandchildren; five step great grandchildren; his special friends, Mrs. Mary Holmes, Marianne and Joe Barlow and family, Lisa and Wayne Rogers and family, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Col. Meaut's family wishes to express appreciation to the staff and nurses of Biloxi Regional Medical Center, staff of Camellia Hospice and Kare Med Personal Care Home. Special gratitude to Dr. Marion Wainwright and Sister Mary Riordan. The family reuests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Nativity Sacred heart Center, Nativity B.V. M. Cathedral Parish, 870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 12 noon Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral Parish where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 675 Howard Avenue, in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.