Roy R Myers

Chaplain Maj. (Ret.) Roy R. Myers, Jr. WA7UZL Roy’s earthly life ended peacefully on the morning of Dec. 31, 2012 while at home with his wife, Dorothy (Dot), in Federal Way, WA. Born on June 1, 1923 to Roy and Bessie Myers in Pensacola, FL, he was the fourth of their eight children and the eldest of three sons. His youth was spent playing, swimming, fishing and hunting in and around Pensacola, a place he loved and always considered “home” in his heart. Roy served in the US Navy from 1943-46 as a Machinist 1st Class at Pensacola NAS and in New York, Astoria, OR, and San Diego, CA. While in Astoria he met and fell in love with Dorothy Kujala, a volunteer at the Lutheran Serviceman’s Center whom he promptly nicknamed “Dot.” They married Jan. 3, 1946 in Brawley, CA and moved to Pensacola, FL soon after. After becoming a Christian at age 17, Roy’s plan was to enter the ministry. He wanted to use the GI Bill to attend college in pursuit of that goal. He relocated his young family from Pensacola to the Pacific NW, planning to attend college in OR. On the cross-country train ride, while reading a college catalog a Navy buddy had sent him, he decided instead to attend Whitworth College in Spokane, WA. A diligent student, he completed his degree in 3 years while working and adding two children to his family. After graduation, the family moved to Atlanta, GA where Roy attended Columbia Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity degree in 1954. Between 1954-61 he pastored Acworth (GA) Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church in West Point, MS. Roy joined the Army National Guard while in MS. In 1961, the US Army advised of a critical need for chaplains and Roy answered the call. As an active-duty Chaplain, he ministered to troops and their families in Korea, Vietnam, Ft. Lewis, WA, Ft. Riley, KS, Ft. Hamilton, NY, Ft. Irwin, CA, and Germany. After retiring from the Army he simultaneously pastored both Manitou Park Presbyterian Church and Oakland Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, WA . He retired, again, in 1989, but soon after began serving as Stated Supply pastor for Alder Presbyterian in Alder, WA, and continued there until 1996. Roy was a life-long learner with broad interests, ranging from black powder rifles to black holes. He loved his ministry, particularly the personal pastor care aspect. He enjoyed meeting people and talking to them about the Lord and had a special ability to minister God’s grace and comfort to people in very difficult circumstances. Roy took genuine interest in the work and hobbies of his parishioners and often ministered to them as he visited their workplaces or sat with them in a duck blind or a deer stand. After his military retirement, Roy became very active in amateur radio, building several radios and earning the highest-level license, his Amateur Extra class. He and Dot maintained life-long relationships with friends and family around the globe. He was a wonderful and memorable “Opa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, never tiring of telling them stories or hearing stories about them. He is survived by his devoted wife, Dot, daughter and son-in-law Susan & George Holmes of Blaine, WA; son and daughter-in law Rev. Dan & Charlyn Myers of North Bend, OR; son and daughter-in-law Gordon & Susan Myers of Atchison, KS; daughter and son-in-law Beth & Tom Nolan of Federal Way, WA as well as 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held on Thursday, January 10 from 5-8 p.m. at Curnow Funeral Home, 1504 Main St. Sumner. A commital service will be at Tahoma National Cemetery at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 11. Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. at Marine View Presbyterian Church, 8469 Eastside Dr. NE, Tacoma, WA 98422. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Rescue Mission, PO Box 1912, Tacoma, WA 98401. Categories ? | © 2013 Microsoft Terms Privacy About our ads Advertise Developers Help Center Feedback English