Melvin Lewis Myers

Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Lewis Myers Sr., U.S. Army, Retired of Houston, Texas passed away on April 27, 2019. He was the second child born to Hannibal and Mary Myers of Hungerford, Texas on October 3, 1936. He grew up on his parent’s farm in Hungerford and was known as "Brother" or "Lewis" by his friends and family. At a young age he united with Center Union Baptist Church in Hungerford, Texas under the leadership of the late Rev. CH. Brown Jr. He graduated from Wharton Training High School. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Prairie View A&M University and Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Following graduation, Melvin entered the US Army. During his 20 year military career, his overseas assignments included Germany, South Vietnam and South Korea. He earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was cited for bravery in Vietnam and thus awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. He was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Army Parachute Badge. While on active duty, he also earned two Masters Degrees – one from the University of Arizona and the other from Monmouth University in New Jersey. After retiring from 20 years in the military, he began a second career as a teacher in the Freehold Regional High School District in New Jersey. He continued his teaching career in the Houston Independent School District where he served as the Senior Army Instructor for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC) at Sam Houston High School and Barbara Jordan High School for Careers for 22 years. His JROTC program was recognized nationally for being award "Honor Unit with Distinction"- the highest ranking for a JROTC program. This placed his program among the top JROTC programs in the nation. As a dedicated educator, he was a mentor, an inspirational role model, advisor, and highly respected teacher to his students for 26 years, receiving many awards and recognitions through his second career. He will be remembered for his demeanor, firmness, consistency, discipline, and caring disposition. Following his second retirement, Colonel Myers went on to publish his first book, his memoirs: Pomp & Sacrifice: Reflections on a Life of Service in 2007. He participated as a Zoe Life Inspired Writer in 2012 for a daily devotional book entitled Zoe Life Inspired: a Daily Devotional, contributing a week of inspirational writings on the theme "Strength". In the area of Genealogy, Melvin also researched and published his family history dating back seven generations. This civic minded individual volunteered and supported "TAILGATE WITH A HERO" which honors and thanks active duty service personnel and veterans for their service and sacrifices, Target Hunger, Gathering of Eagles, of Eagles, Kiwanis International, and the Community Food Pantry. He was an active member of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church where he sang in the Male Chorus. His organizational memberships included: Sons of the American Revolution, Buffalo Soldiers, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, National Association for Advancement of Colored People, Disabled American Veterans, Kiwanis International, African American Genealogy Club, Charter member of the Tuskegee Airmen and the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington D.C., Prairie View A&M National Alumni Association and Texas Retired Teachers Association. He was the proud father of his daughter (Kerry) and son (Melvin Jr) whom he raised as a single parent during their teenage and pre-teen years. Colonel Myers was faithful to God, his family and others. He was a devoted son, brother and father. He was preceded in death by his, Hannibal Myers, Sr; his mother Mary Myers and his brother Forrest Lancaster Myers. He is survived by his daughter, Kerry and her husband Kevin Davis, his grandchildren, Christian and Kyle Davis of Plano, Texas: Son Melvin Lewis Myers, Jr. of Houston, Texas; their mother, Claudette Richardson of San Antonio, Texas; his soul mate Joan Graham of Houston, his brother Hannibal Myers, Jr. and wife Betty of Houston, Texas; sister Marjorie Jones and husband James of Willingboro, New Jersey; nephews Hannibal Myers III and wife Stephanie of California: Michael Jones and wife Vernessa of Atlanta, Georgia; Dr. Darryn Myers and wife Malwina of Houston, Texas: Dr. Derrick Myers of Signal Hill, California: their mother Carol Dawson Myers of Houston, Texas and a host of cousins, acquaintances, and loving friends.