Jim Henry Meyers

Jim Henry Meyers, 74, of Laurel, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at his residence.Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, with interment in the Ellisville Cemetery.Mr. Myers was born February 24, 1934, in Bay Springs to the late Henry H. Meyers and Mary Blackwell Meyers. Jim is preceded in death by his brother, John R. Meyers, and his sister, Geraldine M. Rose.Jim is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Ekes Meyers; three sons, Owen M. Meyers, David G. Meyers, and Jason D. Meyers; five grandchildren, Caroline, Graham, Nicholas, Maelen, and Michael; and four nephews, Joseph Rose, Richard Meyers, Michael Meyers, and Patrick Meyers.He graduated from Laurel High School in 1952 and enlisted in the U. S. Air Force, where he served for four years as an aircraft engine mechanic. Following his military experience, Jim attended Jones County Junior College and Mississippi State University, where he learned tool and die making. After several years as a journeyman, Jim opened Meyers Tool and Machine Company, in Laurel, where he worked from 1969 through the present.As a teenager Jim was well known in Laurel for his custom-designed and hand-built model airplanes and gliders, which frequently took top prizes for longest flight time in local and state tournaments. Jim also competed for many years in pistol marksmanship matches across the South, and provided both markmanship tutoring and gunsmithing to many local shooters.Visitation for Jim will be 5-8 p.m. this evening at the Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, which is in charge of the arrangements.Contributions to Jim’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association at www.americanheart.org.