Kenneth E. Meyer

Kenneth E Meyer of Springfield passed away on July 17, 2022 in Springfield Villas after a long illness. He was 94 years old. Ken was born the son of Emil J Meyer and Sophia Louisa Edna (Roethemeier) Meyer in Mt Vernon, MO. He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Ken married Jane Atkinson of Butler, MO in October of 1959. To their union, a daughter Constance (Connie) J. Meyer was born in 1963 and she passed away in 1977.
Ken Meyer was a broadcaster and philanthropist. He and his late wife Jane started their radio career in 1964. They purchased KTXR-FM from Charles Saltsgaver. Ken became the founder and president of Meyer Communications, Inc that same year. Ken and Jane also owned other radio stations in Fulton, Kennett, Lexington, and Independence, Missouri, as well as two other stations in Amarillo, TX and Montgomery, AL. Ken s greatest accomplishment in the early days of broadcasting was signing on KMTC-TV Channel 27 (now KOZL), a UHF ABC affiliate. He later became owner of KLAA-TV Channel 14 in West Monroe, LA, a UHF NBC affiliate.
Ken was a 1945 graduate of Mt Vernon High School and a 1950 graduate of Southwest Missouri State College (MSU). He also received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from Southwest Baptist University.
Upon graduation from high school, Ken joined the United State Air Force, and was honorably discharged in 1947.
Ken was a sports enthusiast. The Missouri State Bears, St Louis Cardinals, and Mizzou Football were among his favorites.
Ken and his late wife Jane were enthusiasts for giving back to the community. They have given much support to Missouri State University, Cox Medical Center, and Southwest Baptist University.
Ken s hobby in the last few years was the vineyard he established on the family farm outside of Mt. Vernon. Meyer Farms was established in 2006 with 30 acres of grapes. He also started the Meyer Farms wine label.
Ken Meyer was preceded in death by his wife, Jane A Meyer, in 2002. He was also preceded in death by his parents Emil J Meyer and Sophia Louisa Edna (Roethemeier) Meyer, his brother Charles Meyer, his sisters Stella Pitts and Betty Ebert, and his daughter Constance J. Meyer. He is survived by two brothers-in-law, Charles Pitts and Jack Ebert, many nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.
His community achievements are many:
Kenneth E Meyer s services will be held at 10:00am on July 23rd at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springfield, with Reverend Terry Pitts officiating, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Burial will be at a later date in Hazelwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00pm on July 22nd at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2441 S Lone Pine, Springfield, MO 65804.