Meredith, Dave

-2010

 Remembering the late, Great, remarkable Dave Meredith.

A great friend and legendary artist

by Tom McIltrot

December 21, 2010, sign artist and billboard painter Dave Meredith passed away. He was 80 years old, and still painting until just a few weeks before his death.
I was introduced to Dave by the late Mike Stevens, author of Mastering Layout. Dave’s outstanding work first appeared in the July/August 1988 issue. And that’s him again on the cover of the
January/February 1995, six stories up on a rough brick wall, cutting in letters.

His work was exceptional, and his attitude even more so. Not long ago, I reached him on his cell phone. You would have thought
I caught him in his recliner, waiting for my call. He was nine stories up, on a building in San Fransisco. “You really ought to be here, Tom,” he said. “I’m just having a sandwich, sitting here on the stage, and I’ve got a great view!” Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard from
several sign people who have worked with Dave over the years, and are proud to call him friend. I thought I’d share a few of those
comments along with photos of Dave’s work—and at work.

Paul Martin
Dousman, Wisconsin
If there are billboards in heaven, Dave Meredith is sure to be painting one today. In the mid-1980s, I was a few years into a sign painting apprenticeship in Colorado Springs when I first saw Dave’s work.We became fast friends. Despite his years of experience, there was not
a whiff of arrogance about him. Dave was humble and generous with his time and knowledge. He tackled jobs from showcards to water towers with the same level of enthusiasm. His energy level
was amazing. I’ll never forget lettering both sides of a 45-ft. corrugated construction trailer with him one very windy Colorado day. High winds and the threat of rain had me thinking of postponing the job. Dave called it “billboard weather.”We went ahead with the job, standing for hours on the plank, and fighting the wind and muscle strain. Dave kept us laughing with stories about past billboard and wall jobs.

Jeff Cahill
Quality Sign & Design, Falcon, Colorado Dave was like the big brother that I never had. He was a real gentleman. His kindness, friendliness and quick smile were calming and attractive in an indescribable way. It was as though he embodied a heavenly presence hidden inside his earthly cloak. He had a way of drawing out your name when he said it—like it was the most important thing he said that day. I’ll miss that, and his gentle spirit. Perhaps this is a reminder to hold closer those that we love and respect; to tell them often how much they mean to us and to keep ever-present the knowledge that we never know when it’s our time to go.

Steve Beach
Colorado Springs, Colorado
I met Dave many years ago, while I was painting billboards. His designs had a wonderful, bold sass to them. Dave’s work reflected his sunny, charming, and confident disposition.
I am a much better sign painter, and I hope also a better person, thanks to knowing Dave.Thirty years my senior, he showed me how I could be an older person and still get a kick out of life.
Once we were painting an underground parking garage in January—boring block numerals on rough concrete, at 30 degrees, with poor lighting. Dave showed up smiling and said “Steve, let’s make it fun!”That remark alone cracked me up.The conditions were miserable, but we did have fun. I had more trouble holding my hand
steady from laughing than from shivering. Dave was a Korean War Vet and carried an old playing card, the Ace of Clubs, in his wallet. It was so worn you could hardly tell what it was. He had been a Forward Artillery Spotter. One day a squad was being formed and
there was an extra man.They drew cards to see who got the day off. Dave won the draw, with that Ace of Clubs. Every last man in the squad was killed in an ambush that day. Maybe that contributed to Dave’s fearless attitude when working at heights. No one could get over his easy, steady demeanor at terrifying distances above the
ground. I am glad I got to speak with Dave shortly before he left us. I thanked him for all he taught me, and those fun days I have had painting windows—thanks to what I learned from him. I got to hear his terrific laugh once again.

Eddie Hutto
Smokin’ Gun Signs, Clark Fork, Idaho
Sometimes in our life we are blessed to meet people who are a pleasure to be around for any number of reasons—a kind spirit or larger than life personality, a quick wit or a person with an awe-inspiring talent. Rarely, if ever, do you meet a person with all these characteristics.
Such was Dave Meredith.
I was 16 years old when I met Dave, while working for an outdoor advertising company, building signs. He taught me how to paint. Not just to apply paint, chasing lines, but every aspect of an industry and an art that would define me as a person. He taught me how to start and finish a job with confidence—all the time reciting poetry
by Robert Service by heart. We covered thousands of miles on the road together—and hundreds of thousands of square feet in paint.
We painted everything from billboards, towers and walls
to cars, trucks and vans. I grew up while working with him and I owe to him a great deal of who I am. His passing hurt tremendously
but I know if he were here, he’d say “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” I love and miss you, Dave.

Jim Wright
Sun Signs, Las Vegas
Dave and I began working together in 2000, when he stopped by my shop. It didn’t take me long to appreciate his amazing skills and great spirit. We did walls, windows and trucks together. I learned so much from him—from sketches to painting pictorials. We were working together just two weeks before he passed. He’ll be missed by anyone who ever had the privilege of knowing this great sign artist, and truly
wonderful guy.

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