George Myers

George Benjamin Myers, 92, of Rowlett, Texas passed away December 4, 2023.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Jo Myers.

George, one of seven siblings, was born to the late James Lawrence and Bertha Cope Myers on August 16, 1931 in Franklin, North Carolina. As a teenager, George overcame a serious illness to graduate from Franklin High School in 1951, enlisting in the United States Air Force the day after graduation. He served in Korea for 18 months before finishing his service at Perrin Air Force Base in Sherman, Texas, which led to meeting and marrying Betty Short in nearby Trenton in 1956. He was a faithful Christian and longtime member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas.

It is difficult to distill a lifetime of 92 years into a few words, but George is perhaps best summed up by an unshakable optimism that kept him young until the end. He frequently shared hair-raising stories about his colorful, wild childhood - as he put it, when he was a "mere lad" - in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains, which he declared God's country. By his own admission he lived a charmed life, buoyed by a deep love of the Lord. George was blessed with good humor, and for years Papa (as he was known) teased his grandchildren that they would each, in turn, inherit his ancient Ford Galaxie "Old Green" as their first car, much to their collective horror.

George was fond of historical documentaries and crossword puzzles, enthusiastically pitched for the church softball team into his 70s, and often left for church camp with only a change of clothes and toothbrush in a grocery bag. He worked in the transportation industry as a freight broker for 50 years, and later enjoyed retirement by pursuing Bible scholarship - highlighted by a pilgrimage to Israel - and other pastimes like watching sports and playing fantasy football.

It would be an oversight not to mention George's unique brand of Appalachian slang he passed down, including such indelible phrases as "rippin' and tearin'" and "flyin' on the little dab." There is no doubt George went rippin' and tearin' straight into heaven, joyously reuniting with loved ones, including grandson Nick, who unexpectedly passed earlier this year.

He is survived by three daughters, Theresa (Ron) Rutledge of Union Valley, TX, Robin (Ronnie) Foster of Forney, TX and Karen Myers of Mesquite TX; sisters Sue Stewman of Pisgah Forest, NC and Dixie Holland of Franklin, NC; grandchildren Jayme (Zachary) Rutledge Howell of Lebanon, MO, Kylee (Robert) Rutledge Likarish of McKinney, TX, Maegan Foster and Sterling Foster of Forney, TX and Cassidie Hecks of Mesquite, TX, granddaughter-in-law Cindy Haden; two great-grandchildren, Holton Howell and Ryan Haden, family friend Alonzo Esparza and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by brothers John Howard "Ick" Myers, Charles "Casey" Phillip Myers, Bob Furman Myers, sister Betty Myers Crawford and grandson Nicholas Aaron Haden.

A memorial service to celebrate a life well-lived will be officiated by family friend and pastor John Livaudais at Macedonia Baptist Church on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 2:00 PM.