Stewart E. Meyers, Jr., passed away on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at the age of 83. The third-generation Oklahoman was born to Stewart E. and Anna Bucklin Meyers on August 4, 1934, in Oklahoma City. His career spanned from active and reserve service in the U.S. Army to operating an insurance agency and investing 14 years as an elected member of the Nichols Hills City Council.
Meyers attended Classen High School before graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1956, completing a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in law. He pledged Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at OU and maintained relationships with fraternity brothers throughout his adult life. He was recognized as a “Distinguished Military Graduate.”
Shortly after graduation, Meyers married Sandra K. Wilson of Enid at the First Presbyterian Church of Enid. The Meyers were married for more than 61 years, and reared two daughters, Susan and Sharon.
Color-blindness forced him away from his passion of aviation with the U.S. Air Force, and opted to join the Army ROTC during his freshman year. He earned Distinguished Military Graduate honors and entered a four-year active duty career as a Second Lieutenant in Army Artillery. Offered the opportunity to attend flight school, he overcame his vision limitations by memorizing the flight exam. He successfully passed the annual exam as a military and civilian pilot for 31 years. He was trained in fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft and survived a crash landing and a 360-degree helicopter roll during his military career. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1956-1960, he was in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1977. He retired as a Lt. Colonel and served as the Commander of Support Battalion, 95th Division.
Entering business, Meyers worked as an insurance agent and broker, serving as president of Meyers-Reynolds and Associates Inc. Along with his vocation, he invested in civic service through several avenues. The Meyers moved from Oklahoma City to Nichols Hills in 1975 and he was elected to seven terms on the Nichols Hills City Council. He was elected Ward II representative in 1993, and served as mayor in 1994, 1997 and 2000; and vice-mayor in 1995 and 1996. He retired from public office in 2006. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin recently appointed Meyers to the Oklahoma State Teachers Retirement System.
Meyers was active in numerous civic and church organizations. A long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, he served on an array of committees. He was a member of the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. He also was active with the Oklahoma City Symphony and the Oklahoma Museum of Art. Over the past 14 years, the Meyers have worked to provide live theatrical experiences for area school children, which led to establishing the Meyers Theatre for Young Audiences at Oklahoma City University in 2013. The program provides annual musical theatre performances for grade school students on the OCU campus. Meyers spearheaded a 2016 gala event for the theatre, which was highlighted by “An Evening with Kelli O’Hara” at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The theatre program recently expanded to fund production of theatrical works for young audiences focused on famous U.S. leaders and historic American values.
Additional committees and boards Stewart served on as well as honors he received are as follows; National Quality Award Recipient, Graduate SMU Advance Underwriting Seminar, Life Insurance Leaders Club of Oklahoma, Columbia Universal Life Insurance Company Honor Guard, Qualifying and Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, Chartered Life Underwriting Designation, 1998 “Agent of the Year” Association of Life Underwriters, Board of Directors and former President Oklahoma City Life Underwriters Association, Charter Member Association of Health Insurance Agents, Co Founder and President North Care Comprehensive Mental Health Facility, Board Member and Member of Executive Committee Oklahoma State Association of Life Underwriters, President and Trustee Oklahoma City Life Underwriters Foundation, President Oklahoma City Estate Planning Council, International Who’s Who of Professionals – Honored Member. He was also proud to be recognized as a Finalist for Oklahoma Mayor of the Year 2004, and to serve as a Deacon, Trustee and Ruling Elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church, President Board of Directors Phi Gamma Delta Board of Chapter Advisors, Recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award Phi Gamma Delta two consecutive years, Member Board of Directors Oklahoma City United Way, Board of Directors and Finance Committee Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, President, the Committee of One Hundred, Member and Past President, Kiwanis, President of The Oklahoma Mental Health Association and served on the National Board, Sunbeam Home Board President and President of the Foundation, Friends of The Oklahoma Museum of Art, Men’s Dinner Club and The Oklahoma Innocence Program endorsed by John Grisham.
Meyers’ Oklahoma roots traced to when his paternal grandparents were among the first 600 families to settle in Oklahoma City. His grandfather operated Bartholomew and Meyers clothing store, which later merged with Rothschild’s Department Store. Meyers’ father, Stewart E. Meyers, Sr., was a World War II veteran and served as commander of the U.S. Army Reserves Training School in Oklahoma City.
Meyers is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandra K. Wilson Meyers, of Nichols Hills; a daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Susan and Mark Thompson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Jon Williams of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren Jennifer Williams, Jack Williams and Tyler Williams. He is also survived by his brother Kent Meyers; his wife Amanda and their children; preceded in death by Pam Grant; David Meyers; John Meyers and Rachael Meyers.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, January 19, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Meyers Theatre for Young Audiences at Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 or the charity of your choice.
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