Pete Mead, 83, of Jonesboro, died Monday, July 2, 2007, at Skilcare Nursing Home in Jonesboro.

Born and raised in Trumann, he was well-known in the boxing world for his prowess in the ring as a middleweight contender in the 1940s. His boxing career was temporarily interrupted by his service in the Army during World War II, although even that was no real hiatus as he fought several exhibition bouts during that time. With his return to civilian life came a renewed interest in his career as he fought throughout the United States and overseas.

His fight against Joey DeJohn in 1949 at Madison Square Garden was hailed by the prestigious Ring Magazine as one of the 10 greatest fights in the century. Though his last fight against Rocky Graziano in 1951 ended his 10-year career, he never lost interest in the sport and was inducted into the Ohio Boxing Hall of Fame, Legends of Leather, in 1993.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Ethel Mead of Trumann; his wife of 65 years, Dorothy Russell Mead, who died in 2004; a daughter, Carolyn Delane Mead, who died in infancy; and a brother, Garland Mead.

He is survived by his children, Jim Mead, Shirley Mead, Vicki Mead and Jeff Mead, all of Jonesboro; his grandchildren, Eddie Mead of Trumann, Nikki Watkins of Texarkana, Beth Rutherford of Houston and Ashton Mead and Blake Mead, both of Jonesboro; four great-grandchildren, Jim Ed Mead, Amanda Mead, Nathan Watkins and Taylor Watkins; one great-great-grandchild, Haley Mead; one brother, Tullos Mead of Jonesboro; and one sister, Reba Brown of Flint, Mich.

Funeral services were July 5 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Russell Hamm and Jim Mead officiating.

A graveside committal service was Friday, July 6 at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Grandchildren Beth Rutherford, Nikki Watkins, Eddie Mead, Jim Ed Mead, Nathan Watkins and Blake Mead served as active pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers included Terrell Young, Melvin Brown, J.D. Swanner, Gene Boling, Bill Clark, Woody Thompson, Jim Hanley, Harvey Stallings, Oliver Hinds, Bill Teague, Bud Stahl, Bob Biddle, Jim Carter, David Ferguson, Elbert Dubar, James Moon, Mearl Henry, O.C. Johnson, Ramey Rumstrum, Charles Hall, Irwin Gould, Bill Fisher, Jim Bailey, Alfred Moody, Dr. Floyd Smith, Bill Harrison, Bob Riley, Willie Heath, Leland Carter, Charles Frierson Sr., Earl Gairhan, Tony Rasdon, Hubert Rutherford, Jim Rutherford and Floyd Johnson.

During his boxing career Pete made many wonderful friends with whom he kept close touch -- Rocky Marciano, Herbie Kronowitz, Joey DeJohn, Rocky Graziano, Jack Dempsey, J.C. Miller, Bob Bittle, Angelo Dundee, Wes Ramey, Joe Louis and Bill Hannigan.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to St. Bernards Hospice, 2813 Forest Home Road , Jonesboro 72401, or the Building Fund at Prospect Baptist Church, 4200 East Johnson, Jonesboro 72401 .

Online signing of the guest book is available at emersonfuneralhome.com.