Howard W. Meagle Jr., age 76, of Tomahawk, passed away on Monday, May 9, 2022. Howard was born in Wheeling, W.V., on March 16, 1946, to the late Howard and Helen (Dunning) Meagle Sr.
Howard graduated from the Linsly Military Institute in Wheeling, W.V., where he was a natural athlete, playing football, baseball, and basketball. He was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Virginia in 1964. There, he joined the fraternity Theta Delta Chi. Howard graduated from the University of Virginia in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in Central American Political Studies. He later earned a master’s degree in Speech Communication from the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tenn. After graduating college, Howard began a 40+ year career in broadcast journalism by taking a job at a country radio station that was owned by his father in Wheeling. He spent many years in radio broadcasting doing everything from deejaying (sometimes in Spanish!) to station management before he transitioned to television in the 1970s. Howard’s broadcast career took him all over the country from Virginia, to California, to Georgia, to North Carolina, to Missouri, and to Tennessee. While working at KFVS-TV 12 in Cape Girardeau, Mo., he met his future wife, JoAnna Chvala. The two were married on Oct. 11, 1981, in Cape Girardeau. They eventually celebrated 41 years of marriage.
Soon after, the couple moved to Savannah, Ga., for Howard’s job, where they welcomed their first child, Ann Catharine Meagle, in Aug. 1983. In 1985, Howard and JoAnna moved their small family to Greenville, N.C., for another step in Howard’s career. Two years later, they welcomed their second child, Kevin Joseph Meagle. Howard’s career relocated the family back to Cape Girardeau in 1992, where they remained through 2001. Here, they raised the kids, Howard continued to find career success, and their daughter graduated from high school. Howard was a loving and supportive father and spouse, never missing an opportunity to impart dad wisdom or even a bad joke just to make his kids laugh.
In 2001, Howard made his last move in his broadcast career, settling in Memphis, Tenn. The family celebrated many milestones in Memphis, including both children graduating from college. Howard made the decision to leave broadcast in 2006 to pursue a master’s degree to begin his next chapter as a college professor. Upon receiving his master’s degree, Howard began teaching speech and broadcast classes at local colleges for the next several years, including Lane College in Jackson, Tenn., and Northwest Mississippi College.
In 2016, the family inherited the Chvala family cottage in Tomahawk. Howard and JoAnna made the decision to retire fully there, welcoming a lakeside life amidst the peace and tranquility of the Northwoods. Howard embraced retirement, spending his days cruising Deer Lake on his pontoon, working on cottage projects, connecting virtually with old friends, and dining at his favorite supper clubs.
He is survived by his wife, JoAnna; his children, Annie, Kevin, and daughter-in-law, Natalie; his granddaughter, Julia; and his sisters, Helen Ann Faso and Estelle Krahel.
In accordance with Howard’s wishes, no formal services will be held. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory, Tomahawk, is assisting the family. You may view Howard’s obituary and leave online condolences at www.generationsfuneral.com.