Thomas R. Meyers

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Thomas Meyers who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Thomas was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Thomas knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

Thomas was born October 14, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were Russell and Edna Meyers. Thomas was raised in Detroit, Michigan. Even as a youngster, Thomas learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Thomas was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Thomas was raised with two brothers, Richard and Ronald. Thomas had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Thomas, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.

Thomas's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Thomas enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Thomas took part in football. In his spare time he liked comic books and sold newspapers on the corner.

Thomas was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Thomas was a member of a group, his interaction worked to keep the others grounded. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, he challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Thomas came to expect his high standards of performance. While growing up, one of his best friends was Don Shanley. Later in life, he became friends with many from Sun Lakes, too many to mention.

An objective and conscientious individual, Thomas reveled in the security of his family. On June 29, 1968 Thomas exchanged wedding vows with Mary Lou McKinnon at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church of Claremont, California. One of Thomas’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.

Thomas was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Thomas would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Thomas was blessed with three daughters, Melissa, Allison and Andrea. They were also blessed with nine grandchildren, Lauren, Andrew, Sophie, Harrison, Emily, Matthew, Holly, Betsy and Declan.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Thomas was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Thomas was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Thomas upheld his standards. His primary occupation was Graphic Artist. He was employed for Lockheed Aircraft Service Company for 30 years. Thomas was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.” Thomas received his degree from the Pasadena Institute of Art, Pasadena, California.

Thomas was a Navy veteran. His sense of duty helped lead him into the military where his understanding of rank, his willingness to abide by rules and regulations and his desire to follow orders was admired by his fellow service men and women. He was stationed at the North Island Navel Air Station, San Diego, California and then on an Aircraft Carrier in the Mediterranean during the Korean Conflict. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of AM3.

Thomas approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were Formula One Racing, painting and creating model cars and airplanes from scratch. Thomas was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Thomas to do in life and that carried over to his enjoyment of sports. Recreational sports included coaching soccer for his daughters. He also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football.

A civic-minded person, Thomas was usually ready to jump in and help with community activities. He was the type of person who could masterfully organize events and projects and then see to it that they were run in an efficient and timely manner. Thomas was a member of several community groups, including being a Board Member for the "Merry Makers Ballroom Dance Club" and he also enjoyed painting windows at the Cabazon Center each season. During these years, Thomas applied his analytical intellect to problem solving and so was an asset on most committees.

Faith was important to Thomas. He held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay he saw around him. For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. He was a member of Our Lady of Assumption for 34 years and then of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha for 9 years. During that time, he help count the Sunday collection at Our Lady of Assumption and helped with Carol's Kitchen in Beaumont and Banning.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Thomas used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Thomas had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included England, Ireland and Italy.

When Thomas’s retirement finally arrived in 1992, he was well prepared. He used his critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. In retirement, he found new pleasure with participation in the Sun Lakes Soap Box Derby. In many ways, Thomas loved retirement. It provided him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

Thomas passed away on March 14, 2011 at his home in Sun Lakes Country Club, Banning, California. Thomas fought a long brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; his daughters, Melissa (Steve) Estrada, Allison (Doug) Eagles-Laughton and Andrea (Pat) Hutt, and grandchildren, Lauren & Harrison Eagles, Andrew, Sophie & Matthew Estrada and Emily, Holly, Betsy & Declan Hutt. Services were held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 1234 Palm Ave, Beaumont, California. Thomas was laid to rest in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 2161 S. Fullerton Rd, Rowland Heights, California, Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 11:00 AM.

All who knew him would agree that Thomas was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Thomas Meyers did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.