EUGENE WIMBERLY MYERS obituary, 1921-2014, Kansas City, MO

In memory of

EUGENE WIMBERLY MYERS

1921 - 2014

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Jim Thomas

January 13, 2015

To family of E.W. Myers,

Gene was dear friend of mine long after our initial introduction when he joined the Marley company when he became its Chief Financial Officer in the mid 1970s. It was my privilege to be Marley's account officer at First National Bank of Kansas City and our friendship continued on after I worked on Marley's acquisition by Kohlberg Kravis and Roberts in 1981 and left FNBKC to take a position with another bank in Kansas City.

Gene was the most competent finance executive I've ever known. His leadership at Marley in acquiring the Layne companies from Singer yielded a phenomenal return to the Marley shareholders with a 40% plus annual return on the purchase. The same with the Wylain acquisition.

Then with the KKR transaction(the last deal we worked on together while I was at FNBKC), Gene again negotiated a price for Marley shares that provided a high return to the shareholders and he was retained by KKR due to his unique abilities before leaving Marley in 1984 to then take up a new careers as a financial consultant.

He was much sought after in assisting clients facing cash flow challenges referred by area banks in turnaround situations. His advice was always spot on. He eventually took over Champion Turf in working with UMB and rebuilt it into a successful company after it had become a troubled loan customer there needing a strong financial hand to guide it back to profitability. Gene did such with skill and patience.

More than being just a numbers guy, Gene was a gracious polite human being never failing to be honest and considerate with his associates, his friends, and his family.

Dinner with Gene and his beautiful wife, Marguerite, were special occasions as he was genuinely interested in others and took time to listen and ask about his friends' families, their concerns and interests, and well being. He asked penetrating questions and his advice based on his life experiences gave his responses the ring of truth. He was truly a world citizen having spent many years overseas when he worked for Exxon as its Treasurer in the Far East. I fondly recall his quotes about many things...they were and are treasures I cherish.

I'm sure he had an ego, but he never displayed such. Always he was the complete "gentlemen." His bearing was one of grace in action.

Truly he shall be missed by those who had the privilege of knowing this great individual. I count it my wonderful fortune to have called him my friend.

I regret deeply that his passing was overlooked by my hectic schedule whereby I failed to see his family at his memorial service. I missed seeing him when I stopped by in May on a Sunday at his retirement apartment the month prior to his death as he had gone out to be with his son for a luncheon date. I did not know of Gene's passing until I stopped again to see him near his birthday in early October, 2014. I hope the family will forgive me for this failure. Gene and Marguerite will always remain in my thoughts as unique special people who loved each other, their family, their friends, and the arts.

June 17, 2014

I also would like to thank the Merchant Marines
for gifting the American flag in memory of my
Dad. Madeleine Myers Sloan We too are
grateful for all our men in the service.

June 17, 2014

Note : There will be a private memorial service
with close family in Mr. Myers' home state of
Idaho next summer of 2015.

Bob

June 11, 2014

I am grateful for the life of Mr. Myers. Thanks to his service and to the service of others in our armed forces, my family and I have been able to lead our lives in freedom and peace.

Legacy Remembers

Posted event

June 11, 2014

Jun

16

Celebration of Life

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

13910 W 73rd ST , Shawnee, KS

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