Russell Edward Myers

Rev. Russell Edward Myers, 87, of Beaverton, Oregon died on July 26, 2016. Russell was born May 17, 1929 in Eugene, Oregon, to parents William Russell Myers and Hazel Thelma Myers. Russ, as he was known to family and friends, was an ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for over sixty years. Russ lived his first 5 years on the family farm outside Springfield, Oregon, on the McKenzie River before his family moved to Wallowa, Astoria, Silverton and Milton-Freewater, Oregon where his father served congregations as a pastor during Russ’ growing up years. The family sometimes lived on the farm between Russ’ father’s pastorates. Russ carried papers for the Oregonian for six years as a child, worked in a cannery, drove a taxi and picked beans in his uncle’s bean yard growing up. Russ married his college classmate, Joyce Rae Hessler, on June 27, 1952, and the couple raised four children together. They were married for two weeks short of 50 years. A graduate of Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon and Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, he served congregations from 1952 to 1994: First Christian Church in Yakama, Washington, First Christian Church in Russellville, Indiana, First Christian Church in Floyds Knobs, Indiana, East Side Christian Church in Tacoma, Washington, First Christian Church in Portland, Oregon First Christian Church in Billings, Montana. In Tacoma, Portland and Billings, Russ was active in local ecumenical organizations working in the fields of fair housing, ecumenical lay education, and senior housing. During his ministry, Russ also served in the United States/Canada’s General Board of his denomination two separate times, as well as serving as the Regional Moderator of the Oregon Disciples of Christ and Regional Moderator of the Montana Disciples of Christ. After his retirement, Russ was a full time volunteer for a variety of non-profit and service clubs in Billings, Montana, including Kiwanis both locally and statewide, the Key Club or Kiwanis at Skyview High School, The Optomist Club, Sage Tower senior housing facility, Cancer Society, and local food banks. He received many service awards for his work. He was an active member in the Central Christian Church in Billings after his retirement in 1994 until he moved to Beaverton, Oregon in 2012. Russ is survived by two siblings and their spouses, his sister Betty Jo Mikesell (Mike), Florida, and his brother Don Myers (Linda), Washington. He is also survived by his four children and their spouses Cathy Myers Wirt (Doug Wirt) Oregon, David Myers (Sharon Myers) Washington, Chris Myers (Ching Myers ) Utah, and Paul Myers (Carrie Blabac-Myers) New York. Also surviving are nine grandchildren Brandon Myers, Bryan Myers, Peter Myers, Rachael Myers, Jacob Wirt, Rollie Wirt, John Myers, Franklin Myers and Truman Myers. Russ was preceded in death by his mother, Hazel Thelma Orchard Myers, his father, William Russell Myers, his wife, Joyce Rae Hessler Myers, his brother Maurice ( Dick ) Myers, his sister in-law Juanita Crabtree Myers, and his granddaughter Angela Myers Wirt. A memorial service will be held on September 3 at 2:00 p.m. at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1314 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon, followed by a reception on site. Parking is available under the church building as well as metered on street parking in the area. For information regarding the service, call 503.228.9211. An obituary tribute statement written by son, Paul, was also placed in the Billings Gazette and can be found at: http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/russell-edward-myers/article_7f2e9e10-5205-5ac6-9582-1c4d34e8d0ba.html