Conan Gay Meyer

1935 - 2023

Conan Gay Meyer
March 11, 1935 - December 9, 2023
COL Conan Gay Meyer, born March 11, 1935, in San Antonio, passed away on December 9, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Carl and Frances Gay Meyer; wife, Betsy Anne Melcher Meyer; son, Mark Allen Meyer; and brother, Quentin Desmond Meyer. He is survived by his children Mitchell Meyer and wife Susan Meyer, Melissa Meyer Rockwood and husband Andrew Rockwood, M.D.; his brother Terrence "Terry" B. Meyer, and his beloved "Rat Patrol" comprised of his grandchildren: Kirsten Gay Rockwood Furl, Karen Rockwood Evans, Charles Rockwood, Melcher Rockwood, Lisa Meyer Tips, Dean Meyer, Dan Meyer, Betsy Gay Meyer and Sydney Meyer Walling; as well as 10 great-grandchildren.

COL Meyer graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1953 and St. Mary's University in 1957 and was student body president his senior year at both institutions. He was the "pivot of the offense" on the Central Catholic football team and was lovingly known as Pivot. He was commissioned as an Army artillery officer and served with the 3rd Special Forces Group. He proudly served his country in the United States Army Special Forces during Vietnam as a MACV advisor, Team 2. He retired from the Army Reserves in 1987 as full bird Colonel. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal Badge (with Cluster), Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with Palm).

He worked 27 years in the wholesale beer business and retired as Vice President/General Manager of Halo Distributing Company. COL Meyer was instrumental in the introduction and phenomenal growth of Miller Lite beer in San Antonio. He was an avid outdoorsman and survivalist who enjoyed and attended the National Outdoor Leadership School and camped in the four major deserts of the United States. He loved to ski and scuba dive, and he kayaked throughout the Sea of Cortez. A proud San Antonio native, he served on many boards and worked with a number of nonprofit groups. He was also a member of the Army and Air Force Community Councils, the Order of the Alhambra and the Oblate Associates. He was a member of Ro Delta Delta and Tau Delta Sigma fraternities as a young coed, then was honored as a St. Mary's University Distinguished Alumnus in 1997. He was a life member of Chapter XV, Special Forces Association, American Legion, China Post I, VFW Post 8451, and the Disabled American Veterans.

Gay inspired warmth and friendship wherever he went and was a man of great integrity who dearly loved his family and close friends throughout his life. Nowhere was this more exemplified than through his time with grandchildren and the many Rat Patrol adventures they had throughout the years. He taught them many valuable lessons, one ringing most true. "We know that somewhere, some way, behind the sun and beyond the end of the trail, we will be together again."

A rosary will be held at 11:00 a.m. followed by mass at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3303 Urban Crest, 78209. Interment with full military honors will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow interment at the Quarry Golf Club.

Pallbearers will include Terry Meyer, Charles Rockwood, Melcher Rockwood, Dean Meyer, Dan Meyer, Jerome Schuchart, Bill Sisoian, and John Hohmann. Honorary Pallbearers are members of Chapter XV Special Forces Association. Memorials may be made to the General Fund, St Mary's University, One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228-8544 or perform one small act of kindness in COL Meyer's memory.

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