Jack V Myers

Jack Vincent Myers, 70, died peacefully in the early morning hours Nov. 7 at his country home in the historic community of Bryant Station in Milam County. A celebration of Jack's wonderful life will be held Saturday Dec. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the SPJST Hall in Buckholts. Bruce Mercer, Kindred Hospice chaplain and trusted friend, will officiate. Jack loved an excuse for a party and bragged about the excellent cooks in our area, so it's only fitting that a covered dish meal should follow the service. Bring your favorite dish if you wish, or simply come be a part of the celebration. Be prepared to share a memory or funny story - Jack loved a good laugh! Jack specifically requested no flowers, but rather you plant a tree for him. He planted many trees on his Milam County land. The family has unending appreciation, love and respect for Kindred Hospice staff - Chaplain Bruce Mercer, RN's Cynthia Watts and Robin Burnett, volunteer Yvonne who faithfully did a ""tuck in"" call before every weekend, and all the others behind the scenes who helped make Jack's journey easier. A sincere thank-you to the many family and friends who stepped up to provide comfort and support in many ways. Jack was born Sept. 1, 1948 in Riverside, CA to Cornelius Vincent Myers and Ruby (Block) Myers. They divorced before his birth, and he never knew his father. He spent time off and on in foster care and attended high school in Escondido, CA. Jack packed several lifetimes into 70 years. When young, he and his mom moved to Houston to be near her family. He fell in love with everything Texas and always knew he would end up back ""home."" Jack worked odd jobs and then lived a summer on Crystal Beach near Galveston, sleeping atop a picnic table and surfing all day. Surfing led him to California in search of bigger waves and a lifestyle that better suited his free spirit. A self-described hippie, he went to Hawaii and lived in a commune deep in a bamboo grove. He said he only thought Texas mosquitos were big until he slept in an open treehouse in a banana tree! Jack soon returned to California but hopped freight trains to come to Texas to visit his mom, whom he adored. He married in California, and when his first son, Jeremy, was born, Jack was 19 and it was time to cut his long hair and get a regular job. He worked many jobs to support his growing family, often working two or three jobs at the same time. After his divorce, he moved to Heidenheimer to be with his mom. Jack worked for Lowe's in Temple and later for a private contractor. A contract job in 1999 brought him to the Temple Meridian where he met Jan, an RN there. On their first date in 2000, they went to a Stampede ice hockey game at the Expo Center. (Jan later found out that Jack hated hockey but wanted to go out with her). While there, Jan made him meet the whole ""fam-damily"" as he called it because she wanted him to understand if he got her, he also got the entire family. Jan's wonderful family not only accepted Jack but loved him too. He was very grateful saying he couldn't ask for a finer family to be part of. Jan and Jack married in 2006, fulfilling a dying wish of Jan's mother that ""he do the right thing."" Jack was wonderful, interesting, loyal, kind, honest, smart, honorable, hard-working and a fine man. He counted each friend and family member as a real blessing. When he and Jan found their little ""slice of heaven"" in Bryant Station, Jack retired and enjoyed country life. He loved living in a ghost town. He delighted in mowing, fixing up their 1920's farmhouse, planting trees, fishing, video games, hummingbirds, chickens, visiting neighbors and in general loving life. He enjoyed simple pleasures and was deeply appreciative of each day, especially since his cancer diagnosis in 2014. He underwent treatment but by 2016 it became terminal, so Jan retired to love, care for and enjoy time with the love of her life. Jack was especially proud of his nephews, Ian and Fisher, and loved them both dearly. Ian helped care for his uncle Jack the last months of his life, and Fisher spread sunshine, visiting often in between classes at Baylor and marching band, something Jack often bragged about. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Bigham, in 2000 and his precious daughter, Sarah Dawn, in 2011. Left to keep his memory alive are: wife, Jan, of Bryant Station; three sons, Jeremy, Jarod and Joe, and three grandchildren, all of California; beloved brother-in-law and wife, John and Karen Dungan of Temple and devoted nephews, Ian Dungan and girlfriend Kacee Butler of Bryant Station and Fisher Dungan of Waco and Temple. Cremation was under the direction of the caring staff at Crotty Funeral Home in Belton. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jack V Myers please visit our Sympathy Store.