James Roderick Myers, 81

MERIDIAN, IDAHO – James Roderick Myers, 81, of Meridian, Idaho, formerly of Center, Colo., died on Sunday, May 13, 2012, due to complications of esophageal cancer. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Center, Colo., on July 21, at 10:30 a.m. Jim was born in Monte Vista, Colo., on November 6, 1930, where he grew up on a farm southeast of Center. He attended Sargent schools, graduating in 1948. He attended Colorado A&M and graduated in 1952 with a degree in agriculture. After serving two years with the U.S. Air Force in California and Germany, he married Rosalie Juanita (Nita) Warden in 1954. They moved to the San Luis Valley and farmed near Center for more than 40 years. Jim was a lifetime member of the Center First Baptist Church, where he served in every leadership position in the church. He also served as president of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountain Region. Jim was named Master Seedsman in 1979 by the CSU Agronomy Department and served as chair of the San Luis Valley Research Committee. He was active in county and statewide Farm Bureau leadership and was a board member of the Center Fire and Ambulance District. Jim was active in the Center Kiwanis Club for many years, serving as vice president and president of the club. He was also active in the Gem State (Boise, Idaho) Kiwanis Club.

Nita Myers passed away in May 1998. On January 1, 2000, Jim married Roma Talbot. The two settled in Meridian , Idaho, where Jim enjoyed wood working, traveling and time spent with family.

Jim is preceded in death by his first wife, Nita (Warden) Myers, his father Willie (Bill) Jennings Myers, and his mother Edith Labett (Betty) Gibson Myers.

Jim is survived by his wife of 12 years, Roma Talbot Myers of Meridian, Idaho, his brother Robert (Bernice) Myers of Center, Colo., son Alan (Jamie) Myers of Edwardsville, Kan., daughter Sharon (Bill) Slade of Augusta, Kan., son Tom (Terry) Myers of Sofia, Bulgaria, son Bruce (Theresa) Myers of Greeley, Colo., stepdaughters Jill Thomason of Winnemucca, Nev., Kim (Rick) Aragon of Farmington, N.M., two granddaughters; four grandsons; one great grandson; four step granddaughters; two step grandsons; one step great granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Warden-Myers Endowed Scholarship, Ottawa University, 1001 S. Cedar St., Ottawa, Kan. 66067.

Arrangements were made by Strohmayer’s Funeral Home, 205 S. Broadway, Monte Vista.