Doran Francis Myers

Doran Francis Myers

Doran Francis Myers passed away Thursday (May 28, 2009) in Hobart, Okla.

Born Dec. 15, 1922, in Columbus, Kan., to Dora Hawkins Myers and Charles Clark Myers, Doran was one of 10 children. A graduate of Columbus High school, class of 1941, Doran enrolled in Independence Junior College, on a basketball scholarship and continued his basketball career later as a celebrated contributor to the Haymaker squad. Fondly referred to as 'horizontal Myers,' Doran was an avid athlete in basketball, and track and field.

Feeling God's call to ministry, Doran enrolled at Phillips University in Enid, Okla., where he soon found his life partner, Jean, at the student's church services conducted at Garfield County Poor Farm. Jean and Doran married Aug. 29, 1944, while Doran served as pastor of the Verden and Gotebo churches, hitchhiking between the two each weekend.

Ordained into the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples in Christ) on Aug. 28, 1947, in Ponca City, Okla., Doran pastored congregations in Watonga and Tulsa, Okla., Pratt and Newton in Kansas and Fremont, Neb. Doran and Jean officially retired from the ministry in 1987. Moving in and out of retirement, he served as interim pastor for many churches in Oklahoma as well as associate regional minister for the Christian Church.

Always being the team player, Doran's personal assessment of his ministry was one of 'reconciler' or 'peacemaker.' Those who loved him knew this was his gift, as the love of the Lord always was evident in his life. He enjoyed tremendous satisfaction and success as a pastor, serving all he encountered with generosity and gentleness, with his wife of 62 years by his side.

Doran is preceded in death by his wife, Jean Powell Myers, in 2007, his parents C.C. and Dora Myers, sisters Maybeth and Maxine, and his brothers Lloyd, Clayton, Jim, Jack, Bill, John and Bob.

Growing up on the family farm, Doran harbored a love for the outdoors and animals. His affection for nature has continued through the generations of children and grandchildren he leaves behind. Those remaining to cherish his memory are his children and favorite musicians, Stephen (Erika) Myers of Vallejo, Calif.; Kathy (Perk) Johnson of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; Tom Myers and friend Bev Shor of Newton; and Ruth (Craig) Moore of Hobart; grandchildren, Marcene (Mike) Pullen, Mark Johnson, Jeremy (Holli) Moore, Jacob Moore and fiance, Kim Potts; Kyle (Esmi) Moore, Stephen (Monica) Myers, Jennifer (Lance) Bookout, Correna Ragland, Roberta (Tim) Steeves; Daniel, Michele and Paula Tuziak; and great-grandchildren, Andrew Bauer, John Pullen, Savannah Johnson, Mabry, Carlee, Parker, J.D. Moore, Danielle and Taylor Myers, Josh and Erin Warren, and Sarah and Chandler Steeves. He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Doran's life will be at 1 p.m. June 9 at the First Christian Church in Hobart with the Revs. Mark Morey and Tom Jewell officiating under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home in Hobart.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the 'Doran and Jean Myers Scholarship Fund' at Phillips Theological Seminary, 901 Mingo Road, Tulsa, OK 74116 or First Christian Church, 101 S. Park Road, Hobart, OK.