One of the good guys is gone.
Donald Burton Myers, 89, died peacefully at his Pine Mountain Lake home in Groveland with his wife, Judy, by his side, following a nearly three-year battle with cancer.
A native of Syracuse, NY, Don joined the ranks of the good guys early on, as a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 34 in his hometown. He was a 1952 graduate of Syracuse Central High School, then joined the U.S. Navy where he was trained as a hospital corpsman.
While stationed at Oak Knoll Naval hospital in Oakland, Don established a life-long friendship with Robert Sies, a fellow sailor hospitalized following an accident. It was on a double-blind date with Robert that Don met his first wife, Nelda, with whom he was immediately smitten. They were married in 1954.
During the Korean conflict, Don was transferred to Long Beach, where he was assigned to the hospital ship USS Haven helping to care for injured sailors, a duty Don considered an honor and a privilege. While in Long Beach, Don and Nelda also welcomed their first son. Following his discharge from the service in 1956, they returned to the East Bay, where they began to raise their family, which grew to four sons and a daughter.
After working briefly for the U.S. Postal service, Don was hired by the California Highway Patrol in 1957, beginning a 30-year career which would take him to postings throughout the Bay Area. During his years of service, he would create life-long friendships which he maintained through annual gatherings of Santa Rosa retired CHP.
After Don retired in 1987, he and Nelda built a home in Pine Mountain Lake, planning to use it as a base for fulfilling their retirement dreams of traveling and doing seasonal work throughout the National Park system. They enjoyed one wonderful summer at Yellowstone in 1990, where Don worked as a law enforcement ranger, before their dreams were cut short when Nelda experienced a recurrence of breast cancer and, after a hard-fought battle and unsuccessful treatment, died in 1991.
Two years later, Don met Judy Villalobos, who had been widowed after her husband, Tim, was killed in an accident. Don and Judy were married in 1998, and during their 24 years together they watched their blended families grow, welcoming new in-laws as well as many more grandchildren. The two enjoyed camping, traveling and cruises with family and friends. But their strongest common ground, in addition to family, was community service.
Don spent much of his later retirement doing volunteer work as an Angels on Wheels driver for the American Cancer Society, transporting many South County residents to their cancer treatments. He was also coordinator for the cancer society's Daffodil Days in Groveland, belonged to the Tuolumne General Hospital auxiliary, installing emergency call systems for the elderly, and was a member of the Big Oak Flat Odd Fellows Lodge 97, assisting with monthly spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfasts.
At age 70, Don threw his hat into the political ring and was elected to the Board of Directors of the Groveland Community Services District, where he served a four-year term.
One of the highlights of Don's life was when he was selected for the Honor Flight program, which flies veterans on a complimentary trip to Washington DC to visit veterans' memorials and the Capitol. Don, who was accompanied by his son, Ed, as his companion for the 2019 honor flight, called it "the trip of a lifetime."
Don had a deep commitment to helping others whenever and wherever he saw an opportunity. His lifetime of good work extended from his days as a Boy Scout, through his service to his country, his calling as a law enforcement officer and his volunteer and community service as a retiree.
In addition to his wife, Judy, Don is survived by his sons, Donald Myers (Kitty), of Sonora, Ralph Myers, of Roseville, and Ed Myers (Shawn), of Placerville; his daughter, Nichelle Myers, of Crescent City; stepdaughter, Angela Villalobos (Zack Sahagian), of Bend, Oregon; a sister, Joan Green (Roger), of Syracuse, New York; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; many loving friends; and his constant canine companion, Tramp.
Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Nelda; his son, Allan Myers; his parents, William and Lucille (Burton) Myers; his brother, William Myers Jr.; and a sister, Barbara Schuyler.
The family celebration planned for Don's 90th birthday in June will be held, instead, to celebrate his life as one of the good guys. No public services will be held.
Memorial gifts in Don's name may be made to Camp Tuolumne Trails, 22988 Ferretti Road, Groveland, CA 95321; [email protected]
Published by Sonora Union Democrat from Mar. 7 to Mar. 8, 2022.
Donald Burton Myers, 89, died peacefully at his Pine Mountain Lake home in Groveland with his wife, Judy, by his side, following a nearly three-year battle with cancer.
A native of Syracuse, NY, Don joined the ranks of the good guys early on, as a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 34 in his hometown. He was a 1952 graduate of Syracuse Central High School, then joined the U.S. Navy where he was trained as a hospital corpsman.
While stationed at Oak Knoll Naval hospital in Oakland, Don established a life-long friendship with Robert Sies, a fellow sailor hospitalized following an accident. It was on a double-blind date with Robert that Don met his first wife, Nelda, with whom he was immediately smitten. They were married in 1954.
During the Korean conflict, Don was transferred to Long Beach, where he was assigned to the hospital ship USS Haven helping to care for injured sailors, a duty Don considered an honor and a privilege. While in Long Beach, Don and Nelda also welcomed their first son. Following his discharge from the service in 1956, they returned to the East Bay, where they began to raise their family, which grew to four sons and a daughter.
After working briefly for the U.S. Postal service, Don was hired by the California Highway Patrol in 1957, beginning a 30-year career which would take him to postings throughout the Bay Area. During his years of service, he would create life-long friendships which he maintained through annual gatherings of Santa Rosa retired CHP.
After Don retired in 1987, he and Nelda built a home in Pine Mountain Lake, planning to use it as a base for fulfilling their retirement dreams of traveling and doing seasonal work throughout the National Park system. They enjoyed one wonderful summer at Yellowstone in 1990, where Don worked as a law enforcement ranger, before their dreams were cut short when Nelda experienced a recurrence of breast cancer and, after a hard-fought battle and unsuccessful treatment, died in 1991.
Two years later, Don met Judy Villalobos, who had been widowed after her husband, Tim, was killed in an accident. Don and Judy were married in 1998, and during their 24 years together they watched their blended families grow, welcoming new in-laws as well as many more grandchildren. The two enjoyed camping, traveling and cruises with family and friends. But their strongest common ground, in addition to family, was community service.
Don spent much of his later retirement doing volunteer work as an Angels on Wheels driver for the American Cancer Society, transporting many South County residents to their cancer treatments. He was also coordinator for the cancer society's Daffodil Days in Groveland, belonged to the Tuolumne General Hospital auxiliary, installing emergency call systems for the elderly, and was a member of the Big Oak Flat Odd Fellows Lodge 97, assisting with monthly spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfasts.
At age 70, Don threw his hat into the political ring and was elected to the Board of Directors of the Groveland Community Services District, where he served a four-year term.
One of the highlights of Don's life was when he was selected for the Honor Flight program, which flies veterans on a complimentary trip to Washington DC to visit veterans' memorials and the Capitol. Don, who was accompanied by his son, Ed, as his companion for the 2019 honor flight, called it "the trip of a lifetime."
Don had a deep commitment to helping others whenever and wherever he saw an opportunity. His lifetime of good work extended from his days as a Boy Scout, through his service to his country, his calling as a law enforcement officer and his volunteer and community service as a retiree.
In addition to his wife, Judy, Don is survived by his sons, Donald Myers (Kitty), of Sonora, Ralph Myers, of Roseville, and Ed Myers (Shawn), of Placerville; his daughter, Nichelle Myers, of Crescent City; stepdaughter, Angela Villalobos (Zack Sahagian), of Bend, Oregon; a sister, Joan Green (Roger), of Syracuse, New York; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; many loving friends; and his constant canine companion, Tramp.
Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Nelda; his son, Allan Myers; his parents, William and Lucille (Burton) Myers; his brother, William Myers Jr.; and a sister, Barbara Schuyler.
The family celebration planned for Don's 90th birthday in June will be held, instead, to celebrate his life as one of the good guys. No public services will be held.
Memorial gifts in Don's name may be made to Camp Tuolumne Trails, 22988 Ferretti Road, Groveland, CA 95321; [email protected]
Published by Sonora Union Democrat from Mar. 7 to Mar. 8, 2022.
One of the good guys is gone.
Donald Burton Myers, 89, died peacefully at his Pine Mountain Lake home in Groveland with his wife, Judy, by his side, following a nearly three-year battle with cancer.
A native of Syracuse, NY, Don joined the ranks of the good guys early on, as a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 34 in his hometown. He was a 1952 graduate of Syracuse Central High School, then joined the U.S. Navy where he was trained as a hospital corpsman.
While stationed at Oak Knoll Naval hospital in Oakland, Don established a life-long friendship with Robert Sies, a fellow sailor hospitalized following an accident. It was on a double-blind date with Robert that Don met his first wife, Nelda, with whom he was immediately smitten. They were married in 1954.
During the Korean conflict, Don was transferred to Long Beach, where he was assigned to the hospital ship USS Haven helping to care for injured sailors, a duty Don considered an honor and a privilege. While in Long Beach, Don and Nelda also welcomed their first son. Following his discharge from the service in 1956, they returned to the East Bay, where they began to raise their family, which grew to four sons and a daughter.
After working briefly for the U.S. Postal service, Don was hired by the California Highway Patrol in 1957, beginning a 30-year career which would take him to postings throughout the Bay Area. During his years of service, he would create life-long friendships which he maintained through annual gatherings of Santa Rosa retired CHP.
After Don retired in 1987, he and Nelda built a home in Pine Mountain Lake, planning to use it as a base for fulfilling their retirement dreams of traveling and doing seasonal work throughout the National Park system. They enjoyed one wonderful summer at Yellowstone in 1990, where Don worked as a law enforcement ranger, before their dreams were cut short when Nelda experienced a recurrence of breast cancer and, after a hard-fought battle and unsuccessful treatment, died in 1991.
Two years later, Don met Judy Villalobos, who had been widowed after her husband, Tim, was killed in an accident. Don and Judy were married in 1998, and during their 24 years together they watched their blended families grow, welcoming new in-laws as well as many more grandchildren. The two enjoyed camping, traveling and cruises with family and friends. But their strongest common ground, in addition to family, was community service.
Don spent much of his later retirement doing volunteer work as an Angels on Wheels driver for the American Cancer Society, transporting many South County residents to their cancer treatments. He was also coordinator for the cancer society's Daffodil Days in Groveland, belonged to the Tuolumne General Hospital auxiliary, installing emergency call systems for the elderly, and was a member of the Big Oak Flat Odd Fellows Lodge 97, assisting with monthly spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfasts.
At age 70, Don threw his hat into the political ring and was elected to the Board of Directors of the Groveland Community Services District, where he served a four-year term.
One of the highlights of Don's life was when he was selected for the Honor Flight program, which flies veterans on a complimentary trip to Washington DC to visit veterans' memorials and the Capitol. Don, who was accompanied by his son, Ed, as his companion for the 2019 honor flight, called it "the trip of a lifetime."
Don had a deep commitment to helping others whenever and wherever he saw an opportunity. His lifetime of good work extended from his days as a Boy Scout, through his service to his country, his calling as a law enforcement officer and his volunteer and community service as a retiree.
In addition to his wife, Judy, Don is survived by his sons, Donald Myers (Kitty), of Sonora, Ralph Myers, of Roseville, and Ed Myers (Shawn), of Placerville; his daughter, Nichelle Myers, of Crescent City; stepdaughter, Angela Villalobos (Zack Sahagian), of Bend, Oregon; a sister, Joan Green (Roger), of Syracuse, New York; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; many loving friends; and his constant canine companion, Tramp.
Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Nelda; his son, Allan Myers; his parents, William and Lucille (Burton) Myers; his brother, William Myers Jr.; and a sister, Barbara Schuyler.
The family celebration planned for Don's 90th birthday in June will be held, instead, to celebrate his life as one of the good guys. No public services will be held.
Memorial gifts in Don's name may be made to Camp Tuolumne Trails, 22988 Ferretti Road, Groveland, CA 95321; [email protected]
Published by Sonora Union Democrat from Mar. 7 to Mar. 8, 2022.
Donald Burton Myers, 89, died peacefully at his Pine Mountain Lake home in Groveland with his wife, Judy, by his side, following a nearly three-year battle with cancer.
A native of Syracuse, NY, Don joined the ranks of the good guys early on, as a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 34 in his hometown. He was a 1952 graduate of Syracuse Central High School, then joined the U.S. Navy where he was trained as a hospital corpsman.
While stationed at Oak Knoll Naval hospital in Oakland, Don established a life-long friendship with Robert Sies, a fellow sailor hospitalized following an accident. It was on a double-blind date with Robert that Don met his first wife, Nelda, with whom he was immediately smitten. They were married in 1954.
During the Korean conflict, Don was transferred to Long Beach, where he was assigned to the hospital ship USS Haven helping to care for injured sailors, a duty Don considered an honor and a privilege. While in Long Beach, Don and Nelda also welcomed their first son. Following his discharge from the service in 1956, they returned to the East Bay, where they began to raise their family, which grew to four sons and a daughter.
After working briefly for the U.S. Postal service, Don was hired by the California Highway Patrol in 1957, beginning a 30-year career which would take him to postings throughout the Bay Area. During his years of service, he would create life-long friendships which he maintained through annual gatherings of Santa Rosa retired CHP.
After Don retired in 1987, he and Nelda built a home in Pine Mountain Lake, planning to use it as a base for fulfilling their retirement dreams of traveling and doing seasonal work throughout the National Park system. They enjoyed one wonderful summer at Yellowstone in 1990, where Don worked as a law enforcement ranger, before their dreams were cut short when Nelda experienced a recurrence of breast cancer and, after a hard-fought battle and unsuccessful treatment, died in 1991.
Two years later, Don met Judy Villalobos, who had been widowed after her husband, Tim, was killed in an accident. Don and Judy were married in 1998, and during their 24 years together they watched their blended families grow, welcoming new in-laws as well as many more grandchildren. The two enjoyed camping, traveling and cruises with family and friends. But their strongest common ground, in addition to family, was community service.
Don spent much of his later retirement doing volunteer work as an Angels on Wheels driver for the American Cancer Society, transporting many South County residents to their cancer treatments. He was also coordinator for the cancer society's Daffodil Days in Groveland, belonged to the Tuolumne General Hospital auxiliary, installing emergency call systems for the elderly, and was a member of the Big Oak Flat Odd Fellows Lodge 97, assisting with monthly spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfasts.
At age 70, Don threw his hat into the political ring and was elected to the Board of Directors of the Groveland Community Services District, where he served a four-year term.
One of the highlights of Don's life was when he was selected for the Honor Flight program, which flies veterans on a complimentary trip to Washington DC to visit veterans' memorials and the Capitol. Don, who was accompanied by his son, Ed, as his companion for the 2019 honor flight, called it "the trip of a lifetime."
Don had a deep commitment to helping others whenever and wherever he saw an opportunity. His lifetime of good work extended from his days as a Boy Scout, through his service to his country, his calling as a law enforcement officer and his volunteer and community service as a retiree.
In addition to his wife, Judy, Don is survived by his sons, Donald Myers (Kitty), of Sonora, Ralph Myers, of Roseville, and Ed Myers (Shawn), of Placerville; his daughter, Nichelle Myers, of Crescent City; stepdaughter, Angela Villalobos (Zack Sahagian), of Bend, Oregon; a sister, Joan Green (Roger), of Syracuse, New York; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; many loving friends; and his constant canine companion, Tramp.
Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Nelda; his son, Allan Myers; his parents, William and Lucille (Burton) Myers; his brother, William Myers Jr.; and a sister, Barbara Schuyler.
The family celebration planned for Don's 90th birthday in June will be held, instead, to celebrate his life as one of the good guys. No public services will be held.
Memorial gifts in Don's name may be made to Camp Tuolumne Trails, 22988 Ferretti Road, Groveland, CA 95321; [email protected]
Published by Sonora Union Democrat from Mar. 7 to Mar. 8, 2022.
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