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Donald Henry Myers of Muskogee, OK. passed away peacefully on Oct. 28th, 2020 after a brief illness.
Don was born Jan. 22nd, 1932 in Iliff, Colorado to Henry Daniel Myers and Fern (Peterson) Myers and was raised and graduated there in 1951.
After graduation Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a radioman and electronics technician aboard the U.S.S. Essex.
After his hitch in the Navy Don worked for McDonnell Douglas which brought him briefly to Muskogee where he met and soon married his wife of 64 years, Lolita (Smoot) Myers , daughter of Wilburn Howard "Chief" Smoot and Leota (Croman) Smoot.
A new position at N.A.S.A. took them to California where they settled in Lancaster and began their family. Don eventually began working at the F.A.A. maintaining air traffic control equipment and later was in management until his retirement in 1989. During his time there Don received the "Meritorious Achievement Award" from the Secretary of Transportation for his " significant contribution to air traffic control automation systems" which were implemented nationwide and greatly improved air traffic safety. Don and his wife were flown to Washington D.C. to receive the award.
After his retirement the family moved to Red Bluff, Ca. where Don worked as Wal-Mart people greeter. In 1998 Don and family moved again, to Muskogee to be near family. Don was very active in the Muskogee coin club and he helped many people with their coin and bill collections, making many friends in the process.
In the final year of his life, at 87 years old, Don went to an air show to see a plane like he had worked on some 60 years earlier- the Douglas AD-4 "skyraider". After chatting with the pilot, Don was offered a 30 minute ride over Muskogee with a request to be filmed and also interviewed afterwards for an episode of the t.v. show "Plane Resurrection". Many thanks to Nik Coleman and crew for this wonderful gift to him.
Don was a favorite uncle "Donald Duck", a fun kind and loving dad, grandpa and husband whose very young and happy spirit , joy for life and sense of humor leaves many happy memories for those who knew and loved him.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Fern Myers, his brother, Lyle Gene Myers, his sister Avis (Myers) Harder and son in law Mark Cormier. Shortly after Don's passing the family also sadly lost their oldest son, Larry Dean Myers to covid19.
Donald is survived by his wife Lolita Pearl Myers , daughter Donna Marie (Myers) Cormier, son Darrell Alan Myers, grandchildren Philip Jonathan Abbs, Christopher Michael Abbs, Brandie Renee (Abbs) Warren, 4 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Don received his longtime wish of donating his body to medical science, his remains will be interred at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery on May 19th, 2021 at 2:00 c.s.t. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Honorary Pallbearers are Daniel Myers, James Walmsley, Steve Walmsley, Don Harder, Irven Falwell, Mike McClendon and Bob Dodd . In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to any Veteran's organization or animal shelter.
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