James Lyle “Jimmy” Myers, 77, Hays, died Saturday, February, 19, 2022, at HaysMed.
He was born July 23, 1944, in Hays, Kansas, the son of James and Josephine (Ptacek) Myers. James attended Washington School and graduated from Hays High School with the class of 1962. He entered the U.S. Army Reserves in 1964, serving for 6 years, and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He worked in the restaurant business and always said Dick Unrein was his mentor. James married the love of his life, Alfreda “Fritz” Herman on June 15, 1968, in St. Peter, Kansas, and during their lifetime they had three daughters. Together they owned and operated Pizza Hut, Pizza Inn, Coachman's Inn, and Beacon Hill Restaurant. For many years, he managed the American Legion, before moving on to A-1 Plank and retiring in 2009. Jim wasn’t afraid of hard work, having started working when he was eight years old, walking George Phillips' horse for him after his polo matches, earning a couple of quarters.
His favorite times were in his garage with his brother, Dave rebuilding classic cars, rotating those in his collection many times. He treasured those times cruising in the convertible with his wife on a Sunday afternoon visiting friends. He loved a trip to the casino with his wife, a good cold beer at the American Legion or VFW with good friends, and when his family came home to visit, though he usually said we were too loud. He also loved drag racing, participating in the sport with Vic Lang for many years, and watching the races on TV the last several years with his wife. Cars were his passion, and always made sure everyone knew to “check their oil”. Another treasured memory was spending harvest with the Herman family, running a combine and having a beer in the evenings after a hot day in the field. His daughters have great memories of him teaching them to snow ski, how to drive stick shift, and vacations with lots of laughs. He enjoyed reading, collecting coins, telling stories from the past and took immense pride in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He took any opportunity to talk about them, and as soon as they walked in the door, his face would light up. His nephew Jim Burney summed it up best (and Dad would agree wholeheartedly), “He had a good life, raised a great family, and had lots of people who loved and cared for him. You can’t do any better than that.”
He is survived by his wife Fritz, three daughters: Tammy Dreiling (Rusty), Jodi Harkin (Bryan), and Angie Lachner (Jerad), grandchildren: Nathan Lawson (Jessica), Ryan Lawson (Brittni), Collan Lawson (Tiara), Aidan Lawson, Tyler Jones, Lucas Harkin, Anna Harkin, Jessica Lachner and Jacob Lachner, step grandchildren: Knox Dreiling, Konnor Dreiling, Kyler Dreiling and Kylin Dreiling, two great-grandchildren: Addy and Ashton Lawson, three sisters-in-law: Carol Hustead, Dolores Myers, and Joan Wohlsechlegel, many wonderful nieces, nephews and friends, as well as a long list of people he inspired to be the best they could be.
He was preceded in death by his parents James and Josephine Myers, brothers: John Myers, William “Hiney” Myers, and Dave Myers, and sisters: Betty Hoss and Jan Dreiling.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, February 25, 2022, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church with Fr. Damian Richards officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to DSNWK Kid-Link. Condolences and memories of James may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com