John W. Myers, 77

John W. Myers, 77, of Bigfork, passed away Sept. 4, 2020, at Ogden Mountain.

John was born May 5, 1943, in Wenatchee, Washington, and was raised in Montana and Alaska. He began first grade in Fairbanks, Alaska, continuing his schooling between Alaska and Cut Bank. He graduated from Great Falls High School in 1961.

John married Nancy Ann Gardner in 1961 in Fort Benton; they were married for 59 years.

John’s work years began at the age of 6, selling newspapers in Fairbanks and working summers in his grandfather’s service station in Cut Bank. During high school, he worked at a service station/garage in Great Falls, as well as working numerous jobs during harvest in the area. After graduation, he worked for American Bridge Company as a crane oiler/driver on the construction of minuteman missile silos. He held several jobs in Great Falls before heading to Alaska. He arrived there shortly before the Good Friday earthquake in 1964. Immediately after the quake, he assisted with HAM radio communications between Alaska and the lower 48 states, helping to get supplies delivered and keeping families connected. He worked for the city of Anchorage, inspecting water and sewer lines for damage from the quake. He then worked as an oiler/operator on a crane doing various jobs from loading/unloading freight at the docks, construction, miscellaneous quake repairs in the Anchorage, Seward and Homer, Alaska areas.

After being injured on the job, he moved his family back to Montana, where he worked for the Singer Sewing Company managing several stores. He obtained his Montana Real Estate license, opening an office in Great Falls and becoming active in property development, home building, real estate brokering, sales and exchanging across Montana and nationally. He owned and managed restaurants, a motel, and an insurance company. He had some mining and ranching ventures in the Great Falls and Kalispell areas. His long-term involvement with MAREX (Montana Association of Real Estate Exchangers) was very important to him. He remained active in business until his passing.

John was active in the Sun Rise Lions Club and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.). He also sponsored a men’s softball team as the owner of Big John’s Supper Club in Great Falls. John was an Eagle Scout. Beginning in his teens, he was a HAM radio operator. He was a hunter. He enjoyed cooking for the men’s retreat and for the hunting camp on Ogden Mountain. He loved flying, and owned various aircraft. He acquired his first plane as a teenager. He enjoyed countless hours at his home on Flathead Lake, especially relishing his time with his family and extended church family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Eleanor (Price) Myers; and his sister, Karen Wrzesien.

In addition to his wife Nancy Myers, John is survived by his children, Rebecca (Mike) Henson of Kalispell, J.R. Myers of Cut Bank and Rhonda (Jack) Hill of Iowa; siblings, Sheila (Daniel) Richardson of Golden Valley, Arizona, Roberta Mackamen of Whitefish, and Debra Osgood of Columbia Falls; grandchildren, J.J. Wetzel, Travis Wetzel, Anthony (Rachael) Syth, Cassandra Syth, Brian Hill, David Hill, and Wendy (Jason) Bratcher, Justin (Amy) Henson, Katy (Gary) Heron and their families; great-grandchildren, Garin and Eva Syth; beloved nieces, nephews and cousins in Washington, California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma and Texas.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Ed Ernst and his grandson Carson.

John trusted Christ as his Savior, and was baptized in Flathead Lake Aug. 17, 2003.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the First Baptist Church of Bigfork.