Linn Byrrel Meyerdirk

Elation abounds in the kingdom of God with news that an angel of earth has returned to the heavens. Let this be a celebration in remembrance of Linn B. and his life. Linn passed away on 12/12/12 at his home with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 15, 2012, at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory, Abilene, with Reverend Ronnie Newton officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at a visitation 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Linn Byrrel Meyerdirk was born August 14, 1930 and raised in Marshall, Minnesota. In 1947, at age 16 in Bay City, Texas, he enlisted and began what would be an illustrious Naval career spanning 20 years, earning numerous letters of accommodation, ribbons and medals including two national defense medals. Linn’s overseas deployments were to Korea, Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Port Lyautey, Kenitra, Morocco, and later was sent to Key West, Florida in anticipation of the invasion from Cuba and the nuclear missile threat during the Bay of Pigs. His final deployment was to Danang, Vietnam during the height of the Vietnam conflict. In addition to his defense deployment, Linn B. served and received training in Oakland, California, Corpus Christi, Texas and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. It was in 1957 while stationed at the Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas that he met (after numerous unexplained trips to the personnel department) and married Texas native and personnel clerk Capitola “Cappie” (Jeffries) Meyerdirk. In 1966, Linn B. retired honorably from his naval career in Abilene, Texas ranked as Chief Petty Officer E-7. After retirement, he continued his service to his country in civil service assisting the military physicians in evaluating recruits and draftees for the armed forces. In 1972, Linn began college at McMurry University and in 1975 graduated college with honors “Alpha Chi” and a degree in Accounting. He then began his third career opening a tax and consulting agency. Linn opened the doors in 1976 and for over 33 years assisted thousands of taxpayers in filing returns.

Linn’s exuberance for life extended far beyond his accomplishments as an individual. His dedication to Christ, his church and his family were always at the forefront of his life and he lived by example. Linn enjoyed his family gatherings, hunting, fishing and wood working. He was member of Grace United Methodist Church. Linn was a Gideon, a Mason, and Shriner. He will forever be missed.

Linn was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Cecil Meyerdirk; two brothers, Dale and Robert; and sister, Bonnie.

He will be remembered by his wife of 55 years, “Cappie”; his son, Billy and his fiancé, Betsy, of Austin, Texas; daughter, Theresa Crewse and husband, Jim, of Frisco, Texas; three grandsons, Brian Meyerdirk, Jared Crewse and his wife, Ashley, and Matthew Crewse; his brother, Milton and wife, Leta; and many more family members, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Theresa Sides, R.N. at Hendrick Hospice for her special care that she extended to Linn and his family. Also to our cousin, Ann Glover, who was constantly supporting us on this journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Grace United Methodist Church, 1402 Grape Street, Abilene, Texas 79601, or the charity of your choice.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com