THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411180397
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B11 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: KITTY HAWK LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
Russell H. ``Babe'' Meers, 75, of 56 Hickory Trail, Kitty Hawk, N.C., a former Major League Baseball pitcher, died Wednesday afternoon at Lancaster General Hospital following a brief illness.
He was the husband of Dorothy Wright Meers, who died in September. They had been married 49 years.
Born in Tilton, Ill., he was the son of the late George and Alice Powell Meers.
From 1940-41, Meers played as a left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. He came back for the 1946-47 season with the Cubs after serving in World War II.
His professional career record for pitching was 3-3, but he was 3-0 as a reliever. His career earned run average was 3.98.
Meers also played baseball while stationed with the Navy in Hawaii, posting a 19-4 record during one of those years.
He then worked for Ford Motor Co. for 31 years, retiring in July 1981 as manager of the parts distribution canter in Atlanta.
A member of the Duck United Methodist Church, Duck, N.C., he taught Sunday School in various churches over the years.
He also coached Little League baseball.
He is survived by two daughters, Brenda Benson of Glen Allen, Va., and Rhea Rozelle of Acworth, Ga.; two sons, George of New Holland and Russell Jr. of San Francisco, Calif.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, J.E. ``Bud'' Meers of Naples, Fla.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday at the Duck United Methodist Church in Duck, N.C. 27949. Memorial contributions may be sent to the church.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB