Donald Hadley Myers

1934 - 2019

Donald Hadley Myers was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 13, 1934 to his parents Harold Hadley Myers, and Dorothy Angeline Reinke Myers, who preceded him in death.
His sister Elaine Claire Blanchard resides in New Smyrna, Florida. His wife Marilyn of Sault Ste. Marie, and four children living in St. Louis, MO, Chandler, AZ, and Bainbridge Island, WA. They are, Donald Robert Myers, Martha Marie Myers-Gutt, Kathryn Elaine Myers, and Jennifer Angeline Ackerman Myers. Grandchildren are Lauren Holzer, Illinois, Kegan and Marissa Myers, St. Louis, MO, Kendall & McKenna Gutt, Chandler, AZ, Gracie Myers, Seattle, WA, Hannah Paradis, Nantucket, MA, Zachary Paradis, of Seattle, WA and two great grandchildren Liam & Landon Holzer of Indianapolis IN.
As a young man from Oklahoma, it was natural that his first job would be to cut lawns for 50 cents an hour. When he got older Don worked as a roustabout in Oklahoma and Louisiana for five summers and went to the University of Tulsa on a baseball scholarship (he was a catcher) and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Don and Marilyn met as college cheerleaders and he always said he ""married the prettiest girl on campus."" Their marriage began on May 26, 1956. He owned a Sinclair Service Station his 5th year of college and in 1957 Don received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He then began his career with Republic Steel Corporation in Tulsa after a year of sales training in Cleveland Ohio. Their son Donald Robert was born in October of 1957. After four years in Tulsa and the birth of Martha Marie in 1958 and Kathryn Elaine in 1960, the family was transferred to Wichita, Kansas where Jennifer Angeline was born in 1964. But the work transfers weren't done yet, he was asked to move two more times, this time to Dallas, Texas in 1967 and then in 1969 Detroit, Michigan became home for the family of six and they lived in North Rosedale Park until 1980. Don became the top salesman for Republic Steel, handling the Chrysler & Ford Motor Company accounts.
While living in Detroit in the 1970s, the Myers family bought a cabin on Drummond Island and that became their residence in 1984, after retiring from Republic Steel.
Don Myers was a finalist in Toastmasters International, owned Cheers & Cheeses party store in Detroit, all while working for Republic Steel. Don was the youngest accredited rose judge for the American Rose Society growing & exhibiting roses. Wherever the Myers family lived they planted roses and the longer they lived somewhere, the more roses they had. He served as President of the North Rosedale Park Civic Association, was an active member of the North Rosedale Park Players appearing in numerous local stage productions: Annie Get Your Gun, Oklahoma, Wildcat, Arsenic & Old Lace, Little Mary Sunshine & How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. One of his all-time favorite roles was playing the Devil in Damn Yankees. While on Drummond Island Don served as President of the Drummond Island Health Association. He started coaching his daughter's softball team in Detroit at St Mary's of Redford Grade School and then became the Head Coach in 1978 at St Agatha High School.
In 1988 & 1989 Don was elected to serve as District Governor of Lions Club International. He was also the State Chairman of the Lions Michigan All State Band for 10 years, traveling the world. He always said, he was amazed that as a kid from Oklahoma he never thought he would walk the Great Wall of China and explore Australia, England, France & Scotland all while serving the Lions.
His college coaching career started at LSSU with the women's fastpitch softball team alongside Karen Boger Sutton in 1989. In 2003 Don & Marilyn moved to the Sault. Don retired from coaching in 2010 after 21 years. Don loved coaching women's softball.
Don & Marilyn joined the First United Presbyterian Church in Sault Ste. Marie in 1994. In 2007 Don became a Commissioned Lay Pastor after graduating from the Three Lakes Academy in St. Ignace. It was not unusual to see him as Chaplain at the Presbyterian Point Camp, serving in the soup kitchen at church, or delivering the good news in the pulpit and at Freighterview Assisted Living. He also enjoyed conducting weddings and funerals & wrote monthly articles for The Chimes newsletter. Don is a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge 552.
During his time in the Sault, he loved the fresh water surrounding the Upper Peninsula and was fond of watching the constant marine traffic on the St. Marys River as well as kayaking with his constant companion, Abby, his Cocker Spaniel. He was actively involved in the Sault Ste. Marie Lions Club, and a member of the Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir. One of his greatest loves for the last 14 years was performing with the Northland Barbershop Chorus.
Don was a fierce competitor, a loyal friend and a loving father and husband. His presence in our lives will be greatly missed.
Visitation will take place at the First United Presbyterian Church on April 27, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. with the Reverend David Henderson.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to the Anchor House c/o Marty Feldhake P. O. Box 1582, Sault Ste. Marie, MI or the First United Presbyterian Church Choir in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
Hovie Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.