Roy D Meyers' Obituary
Roy Meyers was going to fly... and he did.
Roy D. Meyers passed away peacefully in Menlo Park, California on January 6, 2026.
He was 97.
In his very long and interesting life he was a Son, Brother, Friend, Student, Sailor, Pilot, Captain, Commander, Traveler, Uncle, Husband, Father, Artist, Writer, Correspondent, Researcher, Builder, Model Maker, Dog Lover, Hoarder!
Roy was born in Hollywood, California on February 5, 1928. Abandoned by his father, it was a very difficult childhood. From a young age he was working to help his Mother Caroline and Half Brother Gene. He only told funny stories of this time - never sad ones.
After skipping a grade and completing his primary education, he started to learn to fly and joined the Navy for Flight Training in 1945. He spent many years in the service - moving around and attending Gonzaga University, University of Washington, University of California Berkeley, etc.…
He was hired by Pan American World Airways in 1951. After being recalled to the navy he rejoined Pan Am until his retirement in 1988. 37 years of flying.
In 1956 He met Nurse / Stewardess Marilynn McGuire in New York. She was a
Stewardess without having ever been on a plane. He gave her her first flight. In 1958 he was transferred to California. They got married in 1960 on Valentine’s Day, and were together for 58 years until her passing in 2018. They traveled the world together. He was welcomed into her big family.
In 1962 Jackie was born. An only child.
Pop was the fun Dad - playing with the kids at school, driving on field trips, building ballet school props, and Halloween costumes.
Roy was spoiled rotten! By his Mother, by his loving Wife, as a Captain by his crew, later by his Caregivers.
A brilliant cartoonist, he started as a child and continued throughout most of his life. His specialty was yearly personalized Christmas drawings for Family & Friends...
In between trips he researched and wrote about World War One aircrafts,
corresponding with other enthusiasts, and publishing articles in aviation magazines.
He owned and flew a small plane with several other airline pilots for a time.
Next to Airplanes and his Family, Roy loved his dogs more than anything. Starting with his childhood dog Tony, a German Shepherd. Many other furry friends followed. Gillis in particular, a Westie, was his best pal - always napping nearby, while Roy typed away…
His life changed forever when he had to retire at age 60.
Then at age 70 he suffered a terrible stroke which took away the use of one of his hands. He soldiered on for the rest of his life.
He was a medical mystery to his doctors, who were astonished that a person who lived to such an advanced age, existed largely on a diet of maple donuts and Diet Pepsi!
In his later years, Roy lived in the little house in Menlo Park. He spent much of his time on the computer and printed everything!! He wrote thousands of pages of memoirs of his life, flying and on the ground.
He is survived by those dear to him: daughter Jackie, Son in Law Keith, his cousin Mark, Sister-in-Law Dolly, Ryan Tower, the Tower Family, Kind Friend Bob, many McGuire nieces and nephews, Rick, many Doctors and Medical people, the wonderful Caregivers, Cecilia, Teresa, Mhay and others, and Hermann his amazing nurse and helper.
Words that sum up Roy Meyers:
Fun, Smart, Obsessed, Cantankerous, Sweet Tooth, Silly, Crabby, Teaser, Clever, Artistic, Stubborn, Driven, Playful, Storyteller, Talker……….” Hotshot Flyer”
The family asks that if any donations are made in Roy's honor, that they be made to the following:
Donations:
Stonecliffe Animal Rescue
100 Atlantic City Ave
Grover Beach CA 93433
(Ellie’s Rescue)
Humane Society Silicon Valley
901 Ames Ave. Milpitas, CA 95035
(Sasha's Rescue)
What’s your fondest memory of Roy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Roy?
Share a story where Roy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Roy you’ll never forget.
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