Elmer L. Meyer

Elmer L. Meyer was born Nov. 27th, 1915 in Plymouth, Neb. He was the 2nd of five children born to Louis R. and Amelia Obermeyer Meyer. Elmer passed away in Twin Falls, Idaho on Feb. 4th, 2007 with his four children at his side. Pam, Cinda, Laine and Debbie feel blessed to have spent the last days with him. ÒDaddy, there will not be a day that goes by that we will not think of you and thank you for your guidance and unconditional love. What a privilege it has been to be your children!Ó Elmer graduated from Central High School at Sprague-Martell, Nebraska in 1932 as class Valedictorian. For the next few years he farmed with his father and brothers in Edmond, Kansas and was Secretary/Treasurer of the Federal Land Bank in Hill City, Kansas. On Oct. 7th, 1940, he married Orpha A. Thompson in Hill City, Kansas. He entered the U.S. Navy in September of 1942 as an Aviation Machinist and was based in Norfolk, Va. Upon his Honorable Discharge in November of 1945, he and his new bride followed many of the Thompson family to Gooding, Idaho. For the next several years he worked for the Thompson Furniture store. In 1951 he moved his family to acreage south of Gooding, where he resided until moving to Bridgeview Estates in Twin Falls in August of 2003. In 1952 he started his life long career as an Insurance Agent with Provident Life Insurance Company. He continued his profession for over 50 years and was awarded numerous President Club Sales and Customer Service Awards. Many of his clients became life long friends. His motto was ÒThere is no one with endurance like a man that sells insurance.Ó He was always very proud of and active in his community. He was a charter member of the Gooding Elks Lodge and served a term as exalted ruler. He was a Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian serving in all officer capacities including President and an extended term as secretary. He also served on the Gooding School Board and participated in presenting each of his 4 children their high school diplomas. Being a lifelong Methodist, the Gooding United Methodist Church benefited greatly from his many years of participation and service. He was respected by all who knew him for his uncompromising integrity, his commitment to his word and his untiring work ethic. Elmer had a great sense of humor, a love for adventure and an unparalleled memory of life experiences. But most of all, he was a true Gentleman, faithful to all. He was extremely proud of his children and their families; Pamela and John Yore of Twin Falls, ID, Cinda and John Canine of Boise, ID, Laine and his Òfavorite daughter in-lawÓ Claudia of Los Altos, CA, and Debbie and Jeff Rowe of Spokane, WA.. He is a great inspiration to his 10 grandchildren; Scott, Jacqueline, Yancey, Jeannette, Peter, Johanna, Tera, Brodie, Tanner and Allyson. He also is a wonderful legacy to his 11 great grandchildren. He leaves a host of friends not only in Gooding and at Bridgeview Estates but in every location that he set foot. Elmer was preceded in death by the love of his life and extraordinary dance partner, Orpha. His parents Louis and Amelia, brothers Clarence and Harlan, and sister Gladys also preceded him. He is survived by his brother Eldo and wife Erma of Mission, TX. Memorials can be made in Elmer´s honor to the Gooding United Methodist Church, the Gooding Elk´s Scholarship Fund or the Gooding Rotary Scholarship Fund. A celebration of his life will be held at the Gooding United Methodist Church on Friday, February 9th, 2007 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery. A viewing will be held on Thursday, February 8th, from 5-7 P.M. at Demaray Chapel.