Walter "Ray" Myers

Walter "Ray" Myers Scotts Walter Raymond (Ray) Myers passed away at home on Sunday, October 10, 2010 surrounded by the love of his family. Ray, a life-long resident and dairy farmer, was born April 29, 1927 in Kalamazoo, to the late Walter Ray and Wilhelmina (Robyn)Myers. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lela M. (Wilcox) Myers and children, Laura (Larry) Needham of Scotts; Lynn (Paul) Steele of Portland, Oregon; Louise Aeed of Vicksburg; Laraine (David) Van Lopik of Schoolcraft; Richard (Dawn) Myers of Scotts and Robert Myers of Scotts; 15 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara Davis and Patricia Penney of Scotts; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jena Louise Aeed; his parents and sisters, Virginia Penny, Margaret McElvain, and Wilma Clark. Ray was very proud to have served in the US Army as a Quartermaster from 1954 to 1956 in Germany. Upon his return to the United States, Ray and Lela settled on the family dairy farm in Scotts where they raised 6 children, teaching each of them about hard work and family. He had tremendous compassion for people and for helping others, often taking in family and area teens on the farm and providing them with work opportunities in a family environment. He always had an open door for anyone. Ray also had great respect for the land and for animals, passing on this love to future generations of his large extended family. As a farmer usually is, Ray was a "jack-of-all-trades" who loved history and science, often providing his children with "extra information" on these subjects. As the only boy, Ray was called "Bud" by his sisters who adored him and with whom he shared a close relationship throughout the years. Ray loved Sunday dinners with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren who will fondly remember "Papa". Ray loved square dancing, hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling especially in his younger years. Funeral services will be held at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Climax Chapel, 205 East Maple on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the Gilson Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Following the interment, the family invites everyone to a luncheon at the Scotts Community Center, 8450 S. 36th St., Scotts, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pride of Scotts Community Center or Borgess Medical Center Foundation. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and condolences. 1-269-343-1508