MYERS, GEORGE R.
MYERS. G. Robert “Bob,” age 93, of Palm City, FL and Steubenville (Cadiz), OH passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2014, peacefully in his sleep after a very brief illness at Martin County Medical Center, Stuart, FL.
He was born March 4, 1921, in Zanesville, OH to the late George and Gertrude (Bell) Myers.
Bob was a graduate of Zanesville High School and The Ohio State University (1949). Bob served his country gallantly as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps “Raider” Battalion (predecessor of all U.S. Special Forces units) during World War II in Guam and the South Pacific.
He achieved a distinguished business career in retail credit services, including convincing John Cash Penney (J.C. Penney Department Stores) to create a retail charge card in the late 1950s. His business career included creating retail credit operations at a number of department stores including JL Hudson, J.C. Penney, May Company, Diners Club Corporation (Sr. VP) and VP of Credit at Allied Department Stores (now Macy’s) which included Maas Brothers, Sterns, Bonwit Teller and others.
As president of the Retail Credit Association, he testified before many congressional hearings. As an astute businessman, Bob also participated in land development projects in Marysville, OH and Oak Park Farms in Cadiz, OH including coal, oil and natural gas operations in Ohio and West Virginia.
Bob was an avid golfer, and was a member of Suburban Country Club (NJ), Baltusrol Golf Club (NJ), Belmont Hills CC (OH), Cadiz Country Club (OH), Williams Country Club (Weirton, W. VA) and the Evergreen Club (Palm City, FL).
Bob always devoted time to others and was a scout master to three Boy Scout troops in Detroit, MI. Bob was also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Shriners Fraternal Order, Royal Order of Jesters Treasure Coast Billiken Club (Stuart, FL), Harrison County Historical Society (Cadiz, OH), Franklin Museum of New Athens Ohio, Clark Gable Foundation (Cadiz, OH), Elks Lodge (Stuart, FL), the American Legion (Cadiz, OH), and the Jefferson County Farm Bureau.
Bob is survived by his wife, Alicia Straka Myers; step-children Charles (Belle) Straka, Riverside, CA, Pam (Bill) Parker, New Port Richey, FL, Faith Joynson, Toronto, OH, Margy (Jose) Avila, Perris, CA, Lisa (Gary) Waxler, E. Liverpool, OH, Christy Straka, Steubenville, OH, adopted grandchildren, Cayla and Christopher “Chape” Ovalle, Steubenville, OH, Cindy and Charles Michael Straka, Riverside, CA, Krista and Jose Jr., Avila, Perris, CA; J.C. and Alicia Joynson, Toronto, OH; sister-in-law, Linda (Jim) Morrissey, Steubenville, OH and Davis, FL; nephew, Robert (Denise) Baker; step-great-nephew and niece, Nathaniel Lee Nelson and Theresa J. Gunn, Powell, OH; niece, Elizabeth Baker, Upper Arlington, OH; great-nieces, Amanda (Kevin) Mulroony, great-great-niece, Quinn Lee Mulroony, Indianapolis, OH; Lindsey C. Baker, Columbus, OH, and Chelsea P. Baker, Columbus, OH; nieces, Susan Myers (Dan) Durant, Duncan Falls, OH; great-niece and nephew, Christine (Brian) Turner, Newark, OH, Brian Durant, Duncan Falls, OH, Cathie Sue Todd Toops, Albuquerque, NM; nephew Kevin (Mary) Myers, Orlando, FL; great-niece and nephew, Devan and Anthony Zitelli; great-nephew and niece, Brad & Renee Myers.
He was preceded in death by his previous wife, Virena Baker Myers; sisters, Maxine (E.J.) Myers Jones, and Mildred (Earl) Myers Todd; brother, Donald (Ruth) Myers; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dean Scott Baker and Patricia Mowery Baker; niece, Diane L. Jones Zitelli (John); and nephew LeGrande “Lee” (Beverly) Myers.
Friends and family will be received Friday, May 2, 2014, from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 – 11 a.m. at Clark-Kirkland Funeral Home, 172 South Main St, Cadiz, OH, where funeral services will be held Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Richard Hasley officiating. Entombment will follow at Fort Steuben Burial Estates Mausoleum, Wintersville, OH.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hibiscus Children’s’ Center, 839 NW Federal Highway, Stuart, FL 34994 or the U.S. Marine Raider Association, 704 Cooper Court, Arlington, TX 76011-5550.