Charles Ben Benjamin Myers

1927 – 2012

Charles Benjamin Myers was born on August 30, 1927 and died at home August 17, 2012. He was born in Susanville, CA to a northern California ranching family. He grew up working hard on the ranch and going to a one-room schoolhouse. He went to flight school in Pensacola, FL and earned his wings of gold with the Flying Midshipmen, Class of ’46 “Holloway’s Hooligans”. Ben served proudly as a naval aviator for 23 years, including as a naval intelligence officer on the USS Shangri-La. All who knew him can agree he loved being an American and cherished the liberty and freedoms for which he fought.

Ben met Hazel Green in Corpus Christi, TX and they were married July 31, 1954. He is survived by Hazel; his daughter, Melody Weber, and son, Charles Benjamin Jr.; as well as four granddaughters, Holly Weber Parker, Susan Weber, Morgan Myers Bennett and Lindsay Myers; and two great-grandsons, Trent Park and Samual Bennett.

He retired from the Navy August 1, 1968 and his family settled in Pensacola. He spent decades longer in general aviation and as a volunteer at Pensacola’s Museum of Naval Aviation. Ben especially loved to teach students the love of flying that he had. He loved everything about the magic of flight and being in the sky; later in life he developed a love of seaplanes and loved flying over the water.

Ben loved telling stories about his life and never forgot a good deed or a friend, and everyone became a friend quickly after meeting him. Cheerfulness and gratitude were hallmarks of his personality and he always had a song or anecdote to share.

More than anything else Jesus Christ was the foundation of Ben’s life. He never missed an opportunity to share with others the joy he had in Christ. He was an active member of Olive Baptist and a Gideon. His family will miss him terribly but is consoled by the joy Ben looked forward to in life- being eternally in Heaven with Jesus.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Hwy, with visitation one hour before the funeral.

Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park with full military honors.

Marty Moore, George Smith, Jim Green, John Green, Robert Weber and Ben Myers, Jr. will serve as active pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers will be, Steve Caldwell, Kyle Parker and Mr. Myers' granddaughters.

Condolences may be offered at www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com.