Dr. John T. Myers Jr.

Dr. John T. Myers, Jr., 85, husband of Linda Ross Myers, died on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 3, 1939, he was a son of the late John T. Myers, Sr., and the late Martha Monie Myers.
After completing high school at St. Joseph Seminary in Covington, LA, Dr. Myers attended Notre Dame Seminary College in New Orleans where he received his BA degree in Philosophy. He received his MA degree in Anthropology from the University of Arizona. He also studied in the Chinese Language Institutes at Arizona State University and Cornell University. He spent four years doing research and teaching Anthropology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He was author of a publication, "Life in the Chicken Coop." In 1976 Dr. Myers received his PhD degree in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh, PA.
After teaching at Indiana University and Wayne State University in Nebraska, Dr. Myers came to USC Sumter, where he taught Anthropology, Comparative Religion, and Sociology for thirty years. He was a presenter of the South Carolina Heritage Lecture Series and a regular guest on the USC Sumter Forum. He was voted Teacher of the Year by the students for several years and retired as Distinguished Professor Emeritus in 2008.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Myers was pre-deceased by a daughter, Malia Sue Myers; a brother-in-law, Dennis Andras; and a step-grandson, Austin Mathis.
Besides his wife, survivors include two daughters, Dawn O'Connell (Ben) of Washington, DC, and Jenny Chandler of Ashburn, VA; two granddaughters, Madeleine and Frances O'Connell of Washington, DC; a brother, Joseph Myers (JoAnn) of Mandeville, LA; two sisters, Judith Myers of Lake Charles, LA, and Kathy Andras of Dallas, TX; one step-son, James Mathis, Jr., (Wendy) of Birmingham, AL; two step-granddaughters, Cassia Taylor (Galin) of Richton, MS, and Calista Matthews (Jonathan) of Lexington, SC; one step-grandson, Sean Mathis of Birmingham, AL; three great step-grandsons; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his academic career, Dr. Myers enjoyed collecting, creating, and painting miniature lead toy soldiers representing various wars throughout history. He was a member of the South Carolina Military Miniatures Society and the Sons of the American Revolution.
Finally, and very important Dr. Myers had an altruistic love and respect for all animals. He felt that they are sentient living beings trying to take care of their families and survive, like all of us. The difference, he said, is that animals are innocent and defenseless, and do not deserve the inhumane treatment that they too often have to suffer. He and his wife Linda rescued, neutered/spayed, inoculated and provided a home for hundreds of cats and dogs during their 41-year marriage. Also, Dr. Myers made many trips in his van, transporting over 500 healthy, adoptable dogs from kill shelters in SC up to Vermont, where families were waiting to adopt them.
The family will receive friends from 2 P.M. to 3 P.M. Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 3 P.M. Saturday in the Chapel of the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Animal Place, PO Box 1118, Grass Valley, CA 95945; World Animal Protection, 535 Eighth,3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018; Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, PO Box 96736, Washington, DC 20077-7541; People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510; Speak Up for Horses, National Processing Center, PO Box 7081, Merrifield, VA 22116-7081; Born Free, PO Box 565, Etna, NH 03750-9911; Defenders of Wildlife, PO Box 1551, Merrifield, VA 22116-9881; Noah's Lost Ark Animal Sanctuary, 8424 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center, OH 44401; or to a charity of your choice.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.