June 1, 1938 — June 24, 2024
Jed D. Meese passed away at home in Medford, Oregon on June 24, 2024, at the age of 86.
Jed was born June 1, 1938, in Huntington, Indiana. He grew up in Southern California. Jed served in the U.S. Navy and attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, pursuing his Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He completed his doctorate in San Diego, California, where he met Celia Edwards. Jed and Celia married in 1963.
Jed and Celia enjoyed more than 60 years of personal and business partnership. They were a dynamic duo. They lived briefly in Taiwan, then returned to California.
Jed started several successful companies that designed and developed prescription and over the counter drugs. He was a major shareholder in Formulation Technology, Inc., which operates a factory in California that produces medicines for many large companies. Jed was a co-developer of Coenzyme Q10 for distribution in the United States. Jed and Celia also founded Vitaline Corporation, a dietary supplement and nutraceutical manufacturer, distributor and retailer. Vitaline was sold in 2000 to Integrative Therapeutics.
Jed and Celia moved to Ashland in 1987. Jed was extremely generous and philanthropic to our community. He was a major donor to Southern Oregon University, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland Community Hospital Foundation, Asante, and the Ashland Family YMCA, as well as to the Southern Oregon Humane Society, Rotary, Kids Unlimited, Celia’s House, St. Mary’s High School and too many others to mention.
Jed served on the boards for SOU, OSF, ACH Foundation, Asante and the Ashland YMCA. He also was a Board Director for U.S. Bank regional.
Jed was an Emeritus member of the SOU Foundation and part of the SOU fabric for 35 years. He was a longtime member of the Raider Club. The Jed and Celia Meese Foundation made significant gifts to SOU athletics, the arts, scholarship programs and capital projects over the decades, most notably to the Hannon Library.
The Meese Family Aquatic Center at the Ashland Family YMCA was made possible by contributions from the Jed and Celia Meese Foundation. A gift from their Foundation to Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice led to Celia’s House, a nonprofit residence for hospice care.
Jed was a fabulous host, loyal friend, and great companion for traveling and golf. He had a tremendous sense of humor and was delightful to be around. We will miss him forever.
Jed is survived by his wife, Celia. Their son, Scott passed away in 2015. Also surviving are his granddaughter, Kimberly Renee Houston, and four great-grandchildren: Mika, Ikaika, Nova and Zola.
Those closest to Jed wish to say a special thank you to Laurie Moors and her caregiving team who cared for Jed and express sincere gratitude to them for their continuing care for Celia.
Memorial contributions in Jed’s name may be made to SO Humane or a charity of choice. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
Related: Jed Meese leaves behind a legacy of philanthropy and service
Obituaries may be submitted to Ashland.news via our online article submission form, or via email to [email protected], with a photo or two attached if desired. Please be sure to include dates of birth and death, and reference to connections to Ashland/Talent/Southern Oregon. Please allow a few days for posting. There is no charge. Those wishing to make a donation supporting the Ashland.news service may do so here.
July 22: Obituary updated with additional information.
