Obituary for Donald Myers

Donald Lee Myers

(July 23, 1923 – October 10, 2015)

Although I left this earth at 7pm Saturday the 10th- I took time to pen with my hand the following five years ago (10/6/2010)

…I have discovered some things about life, love, work, kindness, forgiveness, laughter and other good stuff.

I was born July 23, 1923, in Uncas, (eastern) Kay County, Oklahoma. I am the son of Ralph Myers and Essie (Barnett) Myers. My birth was near the two-quarter sections of lands claimed and homesteaded by my two grandparents in the last Oklahoma Land Run (Cherokee Outlet). My grandparents were David Lincoln Myers and Lucy Belle (Irwin) Myers and John B. Barnett and Rose E. (Hopkins) Barnett. I will be buried on Wednesday the14th in the family plot at the Oak Grove Section- Odd Fellows Cemetery- Ponca City at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Dan Hutchinson officiating.

I was a veteran of World War II and served with the 8th Air Force based in East Anglia as a pathfinder-lead Radar Bombardier & Navigator on a B-24 Liberator. Combat decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Oak Leaf Cluster to this DFC. I participated in the lead formations of the bomb group, combat wings and on occasion entire air divisions, receiving: six battle stars, the air medal and four more Oak Leaf Clusters as well as France’s Croix de Guerre Palm. I am a member of the 445th BG (H)-’heavies’ based in Tibenham, England.

My early education was in a two-room country school– ‘Sunnyside District 54’ Payne County Oklahoma, graduated from high school in Ponca with the class of 194l, began higher education at Oklahoma A & M prior to enlistment in 1943 with the US Army Air Force.

— after our Bomb Group lost 26 of our 32 aircraft over Kassel in September of ‘44, I came upon Thomas Gooding’s epitaph- carved on his gravestone- at Norwich Cathedral, It took on a special meaning to me…

Take Heed my friend as you pass by… As you are now, once was I As I am now, you, too will be Prepare yourself to follow me

After my W.W. II service I returned to, …now.. Oklahoma State University and received a BS degree in January of 1948. I immediately went to work for Cities Service Oil Company, based in Bartlesville with a thirty four year career as an accountant/CPA. Retirement began in 1982. I did remain in the United States Air Force Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Madaline (Cron) Etherington and I, both graduated from Ponca City High School in 1941. She lost her first husband on the beaches of Anzio. We both had been married previously. Elahue Bolla, a mutual friend, played matchmaker, and after a 30-year class reunion we were married on New Year’s Eve 1971. We both had been divorced for a few years before our chance meeting and we were blessed to have 37 years together, although Madaline passed on January 24 of 2008.

Today, I am blessed with two sons: Dr. James Mark Myers MD/FACS of Russellville, Arkansas and Dr. Gary Myers MD/FACS of Oklahoma after his several years as the Surgical Referent for Medecins Sans Frontieres- Geneva/Vienna. And most blessed with my loving Step-Daughter: Sandra Cork of Tulsa. My sister survives me in Seattle and I now have five grandchildern and nine great- grandchildren (at my last count!)

I’m a member of Tulsa’s First Presbyterian Church. I’m a 32nd degree Mason of the Bartlesville Masonic Lodge. I remained a member of my veteran’s organizations and professional societies.

Take Heed my friend as you pass by… As you are now, once was I As I am now, you, too will be Prepare yourself to follow me

Source: Trout Funeral Home