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CORNEAL
BERNARD MYERS, 96
LAKE WALES - Neal Myers, who started the law firm of Peterson & Myers in 1948 and built it into the leading law firm in Central Florida, died Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at his home in Lake Wales.
He was born in Richmond, Virginia to the late Corneal B. and Claire (Taylor) Myers. He attended Washington and Lee University where he graduated summa cum laude in 1943, after which he entered the Navy. He served as a deck officer on the USS Lycoming in the Pacific during World War II. The USS Lycoming entered Nagasaki thirty days after the atom bomb was dropped on the city, and shortly afterwards began transporting U.S. troops home.
After his military service he briefly thought of accepting the offer to become a mathematics professor at Washington and Lee but instead he entered the University of Florida where he earned his law degree in 1948 with high honors.
He was the first editor of the University of Florida Law Review.
After earning his law degree he came to Lake Wales and with Walter Woolfolk and then J. Harden Peterson (senior and junior) founded the law firm that became Peterson & Myers. He practiced for 68 years, retiring the summer 2016 at the age of 95.
Among the many organizations in which he was involved he served as Chairman of the Board of the Vanguard School and as Trustee; he was twice president of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, a member of the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar and the American College of Probate Council. He was founding director of the First National Bank of Lake Wales, which became Sun First National Bank, Florida Progress Corporation, and Florida Power and Orange-Co., Inc. He served continuously on Sun First National Bank board of directors (1959 to 1992) and as chairman of the board (1980 to 1984).
He served on the board of directors of Jahna Insurance until his death.
He was a member of the Episcopal Church in Lake Wales where he served on the Vestry. He was past president of the Lake Wales Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Marsha Kendrick. He is survived by his wife Dixie Myers, son Corby Myers and partner Laura of Babson Park, FL., daughters Jennifer Holmberg and husband B.G. of Tampa, FL, Rebecca Soule and husband Jeff of New York City, NY, Erica Breitenstein and husband Robert of Fort Lauderdale FL, four grandchildren, Crissy Kendrick, Kevin Holmberg, Caroline Holmberg and Finn Breitenstein.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Citrus Center Boys and Girls Club Inc., Administrative Office, P.O. Box 2666, Winter Haven, FL 33883, or Quantum Leap Farm, 10401 Woodstock Road Odessa, FL 33556.
Services to be held at 3:00 pm Saturday, February 17, 2018, at Church of the Good Shepherd, 221 South Fourth St., Lake Wales.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Such a lovely man! Enjoy a Martini in Heaven!
Jennifer (Sizzling Grill)
March 1, 2018
Dear Dixie~
Royce and I send our deepest sympathy and condolences. Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.
Royce & Pamela Grooms
Royce & Pamela Grooms
February 16, 2018
What a remarkable Man........not many left on this earth like Neil.
Bill and Jane Wright
EL Roblar, Costa Rica
February 15, 2018
What a remarkable Man.....not many left on this earth like Neil.
Bill and Jane Wright.
February 15, 2018
Neal will be missed, as a great man and great lawyer!
Neal swore me in to the Florida Bar as a lawyer in 1991. I will always remember his mentoring and his quick mind!
Cynthia Rignanese
February 15, 2018
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