Donald Charles Myers, 81, Silver Bay

Donald Charles Myers passed away in the early morning hours on June 12, 2024, at the MN Silver Bay Veterans Home in Silver Bay, MN. He was 7 days shy of his 82nd birthday. Don was surrounded by his loving wife and his dedicated compassionate care team.

Donald was born June 19,1942, in Owatonna, MN, to parents Glen M. and Helen D. (Ford) Myers. He was raised in Owatonna, along with his identical twin brother, David, and older sister, Carol. The twins were Carol’s 3rd birthday present, born just a few days before her birthday.

Don became active in the Boy Scouts of America during grade school and in high school achieved the status of Eagle Scout. Many Point Scout Camp near Park Rapids, MN, was his home away from home. For ten summers, starting in 9th grade (1957-1966), he worked at Many Point Scout Camp. He was a Camp Counselor the first few years and became a Camp Director the remaining years. Many Point staff christened him “Congo Don” because of his musical talent on the bongos and harmonica. He was very active with the Many Point Staff Alumni Association, establishing lifelong friendships.

Don graduated from Owatonna High School in 1960 and Mankato State College in Mankato, MN, with degrees in Economics and Business in 1964. He completed his Master’s Degree in 1966.

Donald joined the Army in September of 1966. After basic training, Don spent 29 weeks going to General Cryptographic Repair in the Signal Corps. After graduation, he was assigned to the 252nd Signal Company Command Operations, headquartered at Fort Clayton in the Panama Canal Zone. From 1968-1970, he supported the communication needs for the General of South Com. He received a Direct Commission in the Ordinance Corps and attended classes at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Baltimore, MD, and Fort Lee, VA. Don actively served on the 21 Gun Salute Funeral Team for soldiers who died during the Vietnam War and was a Supply and Services Officer in the Ordinance Corps at Fort Lewis, WA. He was also a designated representative for servicemen in military court cases. In 1970, Don was honorably discharged from the Army, earning a Good Conduct Medal.

After serving his country from 1966-1970, Don returned to Owatonna and entered the world of Manufacturing Procurement, working at Truth Hardware as a Senior Buyer and Purchasing Manager at Cybex.

Don met the love of his life in 1977 at the Owatonna Tool Company. He married Karen Miller from Deerfield Township of Medford, MN, in July of 1981 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna. They resided in Owatonna until 2016, then moved to their beloved log cabin in Bemidji, MN, and spent their winters in Arizona.

In 1996, Don retired early to travel the world with Karen, visiting almost every continent.

Don was a Life Member of Owatonna Elks Club #1395 and NRA, member of the Many Point Staff Alumni Association, Pheasants Forever, and Ducks Unlimited. Don sang and played bongos with The Sacred Heart Catholic Church Combo for over 20 years. He served as an Airport Commissioner at the Glen Degner Regional Airport in Owatonna for two terms. Don was a long-term member of the Faribault Area Pilots Association, AOPA, and EAA Chapters in MN and AZ. He enjoyed visiting EAA Air Adventure in Oshkosh, WI, for over 30 years.

Since 1989, Don and Karen loved flying through life in their Cessna 150/150 2-seat aircraft as private pilots; flying adventures to Alaska, Canada, the Caribbean, and almost every state. Numerous magazine and newspaper articles were written about their flying adventures, promoting general aviation.

Don loved the great outdoors: Hiking, hunting, fishing, and enjoying lake life. He was a natural in the water and loved to swim, snorkel, and scuba dive. As a kid he was nicknamed “Moon Doggie”, surfing behind boats on his board. Don enjoyed many other outdoor sports: curling, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, golfing, and trail rides in the desert. Don was known for his stories, hugs, humor, wisdom, and friendliness. He was forever the Eagle Scout, willing to help others in need. His advice when confronted with conflict was “Just Smile and Wave”.

Donald was welcomed into heaven by the following: parents: Glen and Helen Myers; identical twin brother, David Myers; brother-in-law, Loren Jacobson; brother-in-law, Kurt E. Miller; and other family and friends.

Those left to cherish his memories include: His wife of 43 years, Karen (Miller) Myers; sister Carol Jacobson of Cleveland, OH; sister-in-law MarJean Myers of Owatonna; nieces: Helen Douglas of Cleveland, OH; Karyn (Jon) Gelhaus of West Bend, WI; Nancy (Gregg) Dold of Duluth; and many other family and friends.

A special thank you to the staff at the MN Silver Bay Veterans Home in Silver Bay for their kind, compassionate care of Don while he was living in Birch Household Memory Care Unit. A special thanks to the entire care team at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice of Duluth, MN who spent numerous hours providing loving comfort care for Don in Silver Bay. Don especially enjoyed the music therapy, Veteran to Veteran sessions, and Chaplain visits.

Memorials may be directed to the Many Point Staff Alumni Association (Northern Star Scouting, 6202 Bloomington Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111). Designate: “Memorial for Donald C. Myers, Many Point Alumni Association, Viking Council”.

Friends may greet the family from 5:00-7:00 PM Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Rd, Owatonna) and one hour prior to the Funeral Mass at the church. Funeral Mass will be Friday, June 28, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (810 S. Cedar Ave, Owatonna). Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Medford, MN, with full military honors by the Steele County Funeral Unit.