CHIEF negotiator dies in east Houston house fire

Houston Chronicle ^ | October 4, 2001 | S.K. BARDWELL

[Taxman]

A 53-year-old man died in an early morning house fire in southeast Houston today.

The man, whose name has not yet been released [I confirmed that this was, indeed, my FRiend, Herb Meadows, known to all of us on FRee Republic by his screen name, "CHIEF negotiator"] was found by Houston firefighters in a bathroom in the rear of his home in the 8000 block of Glencrest, after the house burned about 1:30 a.m.

Firefighters said the man's wife told them she was watching television in the home's living room when she heard a loud pop and her husband shouting from the back of the home.

The woman tried unsuccessfully to rescue her husband, firefighters said. She was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation symptoms.

Firefighters said it appeared the man tried to get out of the burning home, but the heavy smoke entered the bathroom, where he collapsed.

Arson investigators are at the scene of the fire this morning looking for its cause.

[rface]

Sorry Marine -- You're Too Old (posted by Chief negotiator Oct. 3, 2001)

[sourcery]

This is terrible news.

[RasterMaster]

Please keep us posted on the details.....Prayers to all those close to him.

[FITZ]

I'm so sorry to read this. What a sad day for his family and friends which include us.

[Species8472]

Very sad......

Prayers for "Chief" and his family.

[eddie willers]

OH NO!
CHIEF was one of the first people I talked to here.

We must carry on his fight for tax reform.... but those are mighty BIG moccasins to fill.

[beowolf]

Damn, CHIEF.....You will be missed.

[JoeSixPack1]

Semper Fidelis Marine, Rest in Peace my Friend.

I have no words that can express my sorrow on the passing of this great patriot. May his ideals live on through us.
I will miss you.

[Caipirabob]

I am so sorry for the family and your tragic loss (ours, too) . I'll pray for his soul and the well being of his family and friends.

I remember having a funny exchange with him once on a thread. He had a wonderful sense of humour.

[fatima]

Oh No-too sad,the chief was a peacemaker and will negtiate for all freepers in heaven,our hearts and prayers are with his family.

[demnomo]

How horrible. My prayers for his family. I will surely miss his presence on this board...

[demnomo]

How horrible. My prayers for his family. I will surely miss his presence on this forum...

[Snow Bunny]

I am crying so hard. I can't believe it. I was just posting to him last night , almost every day we talked on here and in freep mail and private mail.
He was my dear friend, I will miss him more then I can say.

Rest in Peace wonderful dear precious friend and Marine.

My heart hurts from knowing this.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Please join me in praying for CHIEF negotiator and his family. We have lost a FRiend, a true American Patriot and a long time FRee Republic activist.

I have read many of his posts and he will be missed greatly.

This is a real tragedy and condolences, prayers go to his wife and the family!

[68 grunt]

I'm extremely saddened by this news. The Streets of Heaven have another guard. My condolences and sympathy to his family.

Semper Fidelis, Marine, Semper Fi

[Gorest Gump]

I will pray for Chief and his family. Terrible news.

[Ol' Sox]

I'm stunned...I was just reading his "Marine" posts last night. God bless him and his family. He will be missed.

Semper Fi, Chief.

[MudPuppy]

I'm upset beyond words.

prayful BUMP

Semper Fidelis Chief and God Speed.

[IFly4Him]

I, too, was reading his post last night and was touched.

HAIL TO THE CHIEF!

Prayers to the Meadows family. May God bless you.

[Fiddlstix]

Rest in Peace Chief
You shall surely be missed.