Obituary of Peter Martin Meenen

Coalmont, Tennessee – Mr. Peter Martin Meenen Jr., 73, went home to be with his Lord on March 20, 2020 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was born in Paterson, New Jersey on August 10, 1946 to Peter Martin Meenen Sr. and Marie Elizabeth De Boer who preceded him in death. Pete graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a degree in Chemistry. He moved with his family to Nashville, Tennessee in 1981 where he was employed with Elnic Electroless Nickel Plating Company. In 1987 he became the co-owner of Clemons Concrete Products and its subsidiary Eagle Industrial Floor Products until they were sold in the late 1990’s. Pete worked at the Brentwood YMCA for over 20 years where he had many wonderful friendships. He tried to know everyone’s name and to greet them with a smile. Pete loved hiking and backpacking in God’s beautiful creation. He spent time as a Boy Scout leader which was when he was first introduced to the Savage Gulf State Natural Area that he loved so much. Pete was involved with the Berry College Outdoor Leadership Development (BOLD) program for many years. He loved working with college students and corporate groups alike. He was particularly fond of working with people on the high rope elements. Pete was involved with WAY-FM Christian radio when they first came to Nashville. He was later instrumental in the installation of a repeater station in Rome, Georgia. Pete loved the Grundy County area and enjoyed working on the construction of his “Mountain House.” He was a member of the Leadership Grundy class of 2017 – 2018 which chose as their project to bring the Life Choices Pregnancy Support Center, to Grundy County. Before he passed, he was serving as the president of the Tri-County area of Life Choices. Pete was a member of the Gideons International, Sequatchie Valley Camp and an Elder at Grace Presbyterian Church in Jasper, Tennessee. Pete was happiest when he was on “The Mountain” and when he could spend time with his children and grandchildren. He loved the Savage Bluffs community and was president of the Home Owners Association for over 10 years. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Francine Wiersma Meenen; son Dr. Peter Martin Meenen III of Cane Ridge, TN; daughter Paula Marie (Zack) Huston of Rome, GA; grandchildren Elliot David Huston and Emmett Joshua Huston; sisters Ruth (Fred) Everett of New Jersey; Mary Beth (Robert) Pruiksma of Arizona; and sister-in-law Helena Geels of Nevada. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Dr. Edwin Geels. Pete loved the Lord and his personal testimony throughout his life can be summed up by Question and Answer #1 of the Heidelberg Catechism Q: What is your only comfort in life and death? A: That I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ … A graveside service will be held at the Swiss Colony Cemetery in Gruetli-Laager, TN