David Myers

Brigadier General David R. Myers (Retired)1943 - 2022

David passed away Sunday, April 24, 2022 at the age of 78, following a long battle with cancer. He died peacefully in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family at 5:16 a.m. The time of his passing was one last reminder to his girls to share your God given gifts with others, just as Jesus told us in His sermon on the mount: Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. Matthew 5:16

David was born in La Mesa, CA to Garl and Genevieve Myers on September 4, 1943. He was raised by his grandmother, Edna Hegre, in the small town of Sisseton, SD, where he met and eventually married his high school sweetheart, Janice Wooley. After graduating from high school, David attended San Diego State University, entering the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program and earning a B.S. in Mathematics in 1966. He earned his M.S. in Systems Management from University of Southern California in 1976.

After serving missile alert duty during the Vietnam War with the Minuteman I Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Force as post commander at Ellsworth Air Force Base, he completed Squadron Officer School and Air Command and Staff College, joining the Air Force Systems Command at the Satellite Test Center in Sunnyvale, CA. From there he went to Vandenberg Air Force Base, starting as a Titan III satellite operations officer in the 6595th Aerospace Test Group, and eventually becoming the individual mobilization augmentee to the commander, 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command. While serving in the Air Force Reserves, David was instrumental in organizing both the Individual and Unit Reserve programs at Vandenberg, which are still in place today. In 1994, he became mobilization assistant to the Director, Communications and Information, Headquarters Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. He was promoted to Brigadier General on April 2, 1996 and retired from the Air Force in 2001.

David's additional Air Force education included numerous spacecraft subsystem courses, Air War College, Senior Acquisition Management, Defense Systems Management College, and the Executive Forum for Communications Computer Systems at Maxwell Air Force Base.

His military awards included the Legion of Merit Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and several others.

In his civilian life, David worked closely with the Air Force and Department of Defense, responsible for well over $1.5 Billion in new business contracts for the Naval Weapons Center (NWC), the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC), Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM), and the Space and Missile Range Systems Center (SMC)-RSA IIA.

Work often took him to the Pentagon, Cape Canaveral, Port Hueneme, Sunnyvale and Colorado Springs. Thank goodness he had the loving support of his wife, Janice, to wrangle their four daughters over the years. David eventually retired as Vice President of Marketing for Lockheed Martin in October, 2005.

He was a member of the Air Force Association, Military Officers Association, American Legion, Elks Club, Supervisory Committee member for Coast Hills Credit Union, National Association of Realtors and President of his consulting company, Star Advisors. Never one to rest on his laurels, David formed the real estate brokerage firm, Star Realty, in 2009 to continue helping others. He was President of the Lake Marie Valley Club, volunteered for the First Tee golf program, and was a volunteer coach for the Orcutt Academy High School girls golf team, where three of his granddaughters played.

David loved God, his family, and America; always looking out for the best interest of others through his work and generosity. He loved to golf and his tournament trophies are almost as numerous as the awards and decorations from David's Air Force career. He would golf in any weather, and was blessed to survive a direct lightning strike while playing in 1974! He was a great singer, performing with a barbershop quartet, at church, in musicals and would randomly burst into songs like, The Battle Hymn of the Republic while walking around the house. He enjoyed public speaking (what a powerful voice he had!), sci-fi movies, playing poker with friends, vacationing with family, and spending time with his four daughters, four son-in-laws, and eight grandchildren. He was the photographer and videographer of their lives, often mistaken for a news cameraman back in the 80's, carrying his big VHS camera and gear everywhere he went. His family will miss his heart-felt toasts, prayers, and constant wealth of encouraging words of wisdom, lovingly referred to as Dad's Profound Utterances. His girls asked him for a title for these pearls, and that's the phrase he gave them.

David is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janice of Santa Maria; daughters Beth (Greg) McClung of Santa Maria, Kristen (Orlando) Novoa of Manhattan Beach, CA, Susan (Akos) Fehr-Myers of Henderson, NV, and Rochelle (Memo) Perez of Santa Maria; granddaughters Ashley, Rochelle and Lauren McClung, Maddy and Katelyn Novoa, Francesca Fehr, Olivia and grandson Brandon Perez. Sisters Sherrie Calhoon, Marla Sue (Mike) Sare; brothers Steve Myers and Ross (Julie) Myers.

David was preceded in death by his father Garl, his mother Genevieve, his stepmother Beverly, and grandparents.

The Myers family would like to express our sincere thanks to family and friends. We appreciate and have been overwhelmed with the prayers, kindness and support we have received over the last year. Donations may be made in David's name to Mission of Hope Cancer Center Santa Maria Transportation Service (1325 Church Street), NeuroboxingSantaMaria.com, or the First Tee Golf Program of the Central Coast (505 W. Waller Lane).

A memorial service will be held at Orcutt Presbyterian Church on Monday, May 23, at 1:00 p.m. and cremation arrangements are under the direction of the Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary.

Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary to leave a condolence for the family