Russ Meek, co-owner of Economy Rentals died suddenly this month from complications suffered after an accidental fall. He was 71.

Los Angeles — Russ Meek, co-owner of Economy Rentals in Los Angeles with a branch in Anaheim, and a former California Rental Association board member, died suddenly this month from complications suffered after an accidental fall. Meek was 71.

Meek, one of the most personable and popular rental people in Southern California, well known for always having a joke to tell, was also a longtime member of CRA and served the association for many years as a board member, serving as president of CRA's board of directors from 1992-1994 and California Rental Association president in 1994, He left the board in 2000.

Meek also was a winner of the James Gartland Award, named for the founder of RER magazine, presented annually to a CRA member for contributions to the rental industry.

Meek played football at Glendale College and was an Army Signal Corps Officer between 1958 and 1960. His hobbies included racing yachts to Hawaii, flying planes, and traveling all over the world with friends and family. He collected specialty tools, radio-controlled vehicles of all kinds and frogs. An accomplished chef, he sent recipes and prized avocados all over the western states.

Meek is survived by his wife Emily and sons Don, Jon and Russell III.