Jay W. Meyer

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University of Southern California

Jay Meyer Obituary

MEYER, Jay W. (1923-2009) On January 18, 2009, the angels invited Jay to live with them forever in the magical kingdom in the sky. Born on May 20, 1923 in Webb City, MO to Pearl Gibbs and Joseph Meyer, Jay was one of four children (two brothers and one sister). When he was 18 years old Jay left home and enlisted in the Marine Corp on July 24, 1941. Serving four years of duty, he fought the Japanese on Solomon Island and was also stationed in Guadalcanal and the Hawaiian Islands. He was discharged on September 24, 1945 in sunny Southern California. While attending USC he got a job working in the mailroom at Paramount Studios. One day while delivering some mail on his bicycle he stopped to watch a group singing during rehearsals. As he sat mesmerized by the vocals of this group, someone asked him if he knew how to sing, startled Jay said "yes". The name of the group was "The Sportsmen Quartet". Jay auditioned for them; they asked him to come back which he did. However, when they asked him back a third time Jay said "Hell no", either I have the job or not!" That is how Jay started his singing career. Touring with The Sportsmen enabled Jay to do a variety of shows such as the "Jack Benny Radio & Television Shows" and the "Phil Harris Radio Show". Along the way Jay met his future wife, Tommye, at KMJ Radio Station in Fresno, CA. He dated her for six weeks, married her and were together for over 50 years. As Jay's journey continued he was fortunate to mingle and sing with some of the greatest entertainers of our time. Ray Conniff, Jack Benny, Danny Kaye and Tennessee Ernie Ford, just to name a few. Among his accomplishments of singing and acting, Jay also worked for 13 years at Disneyland in the Golden Horseshoe Revue and also became one of the singing ghosts in the Haunted Mansion. Jay's singing and acting career continued until his mid-seventies. He will forever live in the heart of his greatest production and beloved daughter, Evy, as the singing ghost at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion and as the Toast of the Town for all his friends. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sherman Oaks Presbyterian Church, 4445 Noble Ave., Sherman Oak CA 818/788-3330. Let's celebrate Jay's love of life. Reception to follow memorial.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Jan. 25, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Jay Meyer

3 Entries

Diana Lee

January 1, 2023

My sweet friend! It´s New Years Day, 2023. I´m thinking of you along with so many cherished memories of our years singing together. You were very instrumental (terrible pun, sorry!) in recommending me to travel with Ray Conniff as a featured soloist when I was just barely 18 and too busy in college to leave. But I came to the concert you all did and loved your energy on the stage. You always had that ready smile and twinkle in your eye. And, I remember how relieved my mom was when you agreed to ride along with Susie Tallman and me to our 6 week Big Room gig at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas with Danny Kaye. Susie and I were both just 19 at the time and you looked out for us in Sin City. It was quite a Coming of Age. I´m remembering we celebrated your birthday during the time spent there. Too many other gigs we shared over the years and not nearly enough room to list them here. I just want to thank you for being YOU and for the joy and privilege of knowing and working with you for so many decades. Rest in Sweet Peace, and so much love to all your family. Diana Lee, Tarzana

Jim and Charlotte Quarles

January 29, 2009

Jay was our brother-in-law who leaves us with lots of fun memories of going to Disneyland, hearing him sing, and seeing him perform, either on TV or in person. He took me (Charlotte) to Midnight Mass one Christmas Eve when we were out there visiting because it was the first time I had been away from home for Christmas. He was kind and understanding. But he could be as loud and fun-loving the next moment. What a guy! What a life he has had! Sing "up there", big guy! We will hear you..Love you.

Reta Quarles

January 28, 2009

I only had the pleasure of meeting Jay once and was honored to do so. It was unfortunately after the death of his wife, Whom I had only knew as Ducky! Although I married into her family years ago we never had the chance to meet. Matt and I have the twins and one is the spitting image of Ducky! The stories we've heard from all of Jim's boys and Jim tells the tale of a magnificient man who will be dearly missed and Cherrished. All our love go's out to you Evy, May God be with you!

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