Jerry Richard Myers

Jerry Richard Myers passed peacefully to the Kingdom of Heaven, surrounded by family, on February 12, 2025. He was 86 years old.

Jerry was born in Muncie, Indiana on May 4,1938 to Errol and Lucille (Johnson) Myers. He attended Burris School in Muncie. Jerry excelled academically and developed a lifelong passion for swimming, medaling in countless high school meets. Jerry helped break the State record for the 200 free relay in 1956, won the 100 free State individual medal, and helped Muncie Burris place second in the State that same year. Jerry earned the distinction of Eagle Scout, an honor he shared with both his brother (Robert “Bob” Myers) and father. All three men shared a love for and deep knowledge of the natural world, spending many trips portaging canoes into Canada and other areas for fishing, exploring, and rugged off grid camping.

Jerry matriculated to Ball State University, graduating from an accelerated pre-med program in 1959. He continued his swimming career at Ball State and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternal order.  During his time at Ball State, Jerry met fellow student and the love of his life, Marian “Kay” Baldwin of Noblesville. They were married on June 26, 1960, and a storied 65-year marriage began. Jerry went on to Indiana University medical school (class of 1963), earning high academic honors.

In 1963, Jerry entered military service under the Berry Plan, also known as the “doctor’s draft,” which allowed doctors to serve militarily in a medical capacity. Jerry served honorably as Chief Medical Officer from 1964 to 1966 at a federal prison in Sandstone, Minnesota. During these years Jerry and Kay, along with Jerry’s brother and parents, also began building their treasured family cabin in northern Wisconsin, camping on site during their building weekends.  Jerry and Kay moved to Bowling Green, Ohio in 1966 where Jerry entered general practice. He was a kind and professional practitioner, beloved by patients for his kind bedside manner and attentiveness.

In 1972, Kay and Jerry moved their now family of six, including the four children they adopted while in Ohio, to Carmel, Indiana. They relished life on their Hoosier Homestead Farm, living in the house built by Jerry’s grandfather in 1904, and occupied by Myers family members since that time. The Myers have a remarkable Carmel history as one of two original settlers to the area. Jerry is a 5th generation Carmel resident tracing his family roots back to 1832. 

From 1972 to 1975 Jerry did a residency in Ophthalmology, opening his solo practice thereafter in Noblesville, Indiana, where he served patients for 24 years. He served Riverview Hospital as Chief of Staff and was the only Ophthalmologist in Noblesville until Dr. Charles Wesley joined his practice in 1991.

Jerry was a devout Christian who humbly and faithfully served the Lord.  He was a member of the Carmel Friends Quaker Meeting. He served as Clerk of the Meeting, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and lead a Yokefellow men’s Bible group. He was considered a mentor, handyman, and reasoned leader by so many he worshipped with at Carmel Friends.  Jerry served on the Board of Earlham (Quaker) College, and by extension the Board of Conner Prairie Museum.

Jerry was very involved in the Carmel Sister City organization, which partners with Kawachinagano, Japan. Like everything Jerry did, he approached volunteering with uncommon enthusiasm and generosity, driving and hosting visiting Japanese delegates, and eagerly assisting with festival setups and other projects.

Throughout his adult life, Jerry continued to train and prove a formidable competitor with local Master’s Swimming clubs, most notably the NASTI’s (Noblesville Aquatic Swim Team, Inc), GRIN (GReater INdiana Master’s swimming) and the Indy Aquatic Master’s. Jerry found great camaraderie, physical competition, and countless laughs with those teammates. As of 2024 Jerry is ranked 7th in the nation for the 85+ age group in the 50 free. Jerry also held one of the oldest state records in the men’s 800 free relay for 23 years. He has recorded 58 meet results, including 47 top ten individual wins and 28 top ten relay wins. He has received 3 lifetime achievement swim awards and holds a Life Member Emeritus Award from the GReater INdiana Masters Swimming club.

Kay and Jerry enjoyed extensive travel, including trips to six continents and long summers in beautiful Wisconsin. Jerry dedicated himself to multiple hobbies, mastering stained glass art and woodworking. He enjoyed games from Euchre to Dominoes and loved practical jokes. He also had an impressive sweet tooth, with a special love for chocolate. He was known to be able to fix or build literally anything, and he did.  Jerry was an enthusiastic caretaker of the family farm, raising beef cattle, tending to the garden and orchard, birding, and raising too many dogs to count. Jerry was serious about his professionalism, but never without a playful gleam in his eye. He was often described as kind, gentle, humble, and a consummate gentleman. Foremost, Jerry was an inspired steward to his four children who consider him to be one of the last of the great generation of men that lived by example and lead their family spiritually. In this, he never wavered.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 65 years (Kay); children, Lindley Myers (Teresa) of Carmel, Indiana, Betsy Galliher (Jim) of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mindy Linn (Josh) of Carmel, Indiana, and Brendon Myers of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren, Lucille Galliher, Thomas Galliher (Leila Harris), Sarah Galliher, Grace Galliher, Benjamin Myers, and one great grandchild (Beatrix Galliher).

Family and friends will gather at 10am on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Carmel Friends Church, 651 W Main Street, Carmel, IN 46032, where the Celebration of Life Service will begin at 12 noon.

Proverbs 22:1 

“A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth, and favorable acceptance more than silver and gold.” (ISV)

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” – C.T. Studd

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Jerry, to Carmel Friends Church, 651 W Main Street, Carmel, IN 46032; Quaker Haven Camp, 111Ems D16C Lane #8051, Syracuse, IN 46567; or Samaritans Purse, Samaritan's Purse
P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.

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