It is with my deepest condolences that I write this letter—a tribute to the legacy and legend of Speedy Myers. While I played a role in his life, I can confidently say he was one of the most influential figures in mine. Speedy didn’t just teach me how to build a business or create something from nothing—he showed me how to believe in myself. He saw potential in me before I ever saw it in myself and made it clear that success would come if I simply “listened.”

Speedy’s knowledge was extraordinary—whether it was construction, running a bar or business, painting a house, or building from raw dirt. But when he said “listen,” it wasn’t just advice; it was a lesson. He was tough on those he cared about, and while that toughness could sometimes feel overwhelming, it came from a place of genuine love. Speedy wouldn’t waste his time on people he didn’t believe in. If he was hard on you, it was because he wanted you to succeed.

For me, Speedy was more than a mentor—he treated me like a son. I also saw a softer side of him, one that perhaps many in his family rarely experienced. He often spoke of how deeply he loved all of you, even when he struggled to show it. He confided in me about regrets, saying he still felt like a young man at heart and wished he’d had more time to express himself to his family.

Speedy’s stories were extraordinary—tales of historic moments in Bell County, from opening the first African-American bar and hotel to owning land that became vital to highway development. He even shared incredible, almost unbelievable stories about famous country stars who stayed with him and Anabel. These weren’t just stories; they were a testament to the larger-than-life man he was.

Speedy once told me he’d live to be 100, and while he didn’t quite reach that milestone, his legacy and spirit will undoubtedly endure for generations. He was a legend, a mentor, and, most of all, family to me. My son and I will miss you Speedy. Thank you for the times and lessons rest easy!

If you ever stopped by to see Speedy, you most likely couldn’t get out of there without being offered some tequila, a beer and his endless supply of Coca-Cola.  However, if you stayed long enough, you probably end up drinking all three. We did a lot of business around that kitchen island. So could argue that is where you might remember him
Best. He never had much of a filing system, but he always knew where everything was. It was quite possibly remarkable that he would know where a tax bill or an insurance note that would normally have chicken scratch of ideas or things that he wanted to get done. He would always draw out notes or designs of things that he want to build or modify at his properties.  He would also cook chilli and other Texas favorites while sipping a little tequila and nawing on his mini cigars.

One of the last clubs we built while he was still mobile he would come and allow me to bring him to the venue to see the lights and Lazers as well as hear the sound system. He always loved a good sound system in a good light show. 

He had a Moto or a saying that he went by, 
“Give me a good location, A little Lights, And A Little Flash,  Good Sound, And I”ll Show You The Cash”  - Speedy Myers

One of the many times of Speedy, making the county workers, mayors, city, managers, and local officials come to meet with him at his house rather than go to their offices. It was always pretty funny that he would tell them to come see him rather than set up a meeting to go to their office. It’s a power-play and a show of respect that he taught me this trick and a lot of times you get what you want by inviting the people to you he was a master of this.

We would always come up with good ideas for names of venues and we always had a great way of implementing them together

Speedy was an unbelievable poker player. I watched him clear the pockets of many professional poker players. I watch him go to private games with hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table with, state senators, county judges, celebrities, high ranking military and police officers, city officials, mayors and professional poker players and other places you never knew poker games would be running. We also went to the World Series of poker in Las Vegas Vegas together. I watch Speedy be treated like a celebrity. I watched over 50 men with bracelets from the  World Series of poker walk up and talk to Speedy like he was a Texas hero. We also during that trip we comped many high-end, amazing dinners and drinks. Pitt bosses and staff from multiple casinos would come over and talk to him on a first name basis like they hadn’t seen him in a couple of days. That trip to Las Vegas will still be one of my favorite memories of the time I have with Speedy and the business partnerships that we had. I also would like to add one story that he won about 18,000 in a poker game while we were there went outside the poker area and decided he wanted to show me how to play craps. He lost $2000 and less than two minutes. As he was trying to explain to me the game. He turned and looked at me and said that I must just be unlucky. He then gave me $1000 to put down in chips to try to learn the game of craps where I won $5200 in the first 10 minutes. He would tell me for five years after that that I owed him money for teaching me. Even though I gave him the $1000 back immediately he wanted interest. It was always a joke when I would say “hey speedy teach me about craps” or “speedy teach me how to gamble”. 
He was a real life, folk hero in Las Vegas with the old Vegas crowd. We got to have dinner with the people who started the Horseshoe Casino family and friends and I heard stories of mobsters and celebrities, country music stars, and some of the biggest names in music  all knowing Speedy.

Speedy checking on an expansion of one of the many nightclub and bar real estate properties. This one was special as it was locked on the land closest to his home he built for Annabell Myers. As I would over see the projects and work with the construction teams you never knew when he would roll up to check on you and tell you what you are doing wrong! Even though he would be hard on the workers he was always trying to teach them something and people respected it. Also he was full of knowledge of all things construction and development. He taught me more in the years we worked together then I ever learned from anyone else. He also always paid what he owed. He would always remind people that I don’t owe anybody a nickel. I can’t think of one single major project that we did that Speedy didn’t show up almost every single day all the way until he was barely able to get around and he still would somehow get on his cart and come check the work being done.  Always amazed me!

Hello, this is PATRICK and Kathy. We had the Q Club sorry for your loss, but that man was very instrumental in my life. I forever be grateful to him. I love him. I love you guys. God bless. he taught me how to fish and help me a great deal in my business. I’ve got some very fond memories that I would forever hold. Thank you to the whole family.

OBITUARIO

James "Speedy" Myers

2 julio, 1927 – 15 enero, 2025

Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios