Dr. Terry L. Myers of Benbrook, Texas, 79, died on December 21, 2020, after losing his battle with COVID-19.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Dr. Marian K. Myers (of Benbrook); his son, Wesley Myers, and daughter-in-law, Linda Myers (of Benbrook); his son, Terry (“Twoie”) L. Myers, Jr., and Twoie’s girlfriend, Jessica Cox (of Dallas); and his grandchildren, Burbury Myers and Conrad Myers (of Benbrook).

Dr. Myers was born in Jackson, Michigan, on April 14, 1941, to Gordon Myers and Lita Smith Myers. He grew up in Lebanon, Indiana, with his younger sister, Jacqueline Myers (now Bailey) and younger brother, Col. Richard Myers (deceased). His 9th grade research paper on the genetics of fruit flies was published and he was selected by the Westinghouse Science Talent Search that year, resulting to his admission to Indiana University Bloomington at age 15. Dr. Myers subsequently transferred to Michigan State University, from which he graduated. While at Michigan State, he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. Following his undergraduate graduation, Dr. Myers attended Indiana University School of Medicine for one year but withdrew due to a lack of funds. He subsequently moved to Troy, Alabama, where he taught as a professor to students older than he was. While teaching at Troy, Dr. Myers, earned his PhD in genetics from Florida State University. He then moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he served as a research assistant at the University of Chicago before starting medical school at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.

While at the University of Virginia, Dr. Myers met his wife-to-be, Dr. Marian K. Myers, as a date for a medical school Christmas party. They were later married and had their first son, Wesley. The Myers subsequently moved to Omaha, Nebraska, following graduation, where Dr. Myers could pursue his residency. During their 5 years in Omaha, the Myers witnessed the birth of their second son, Terry, Jr. Dr. Myers and his family later moved to Johnson City, Tennessee, where Dr. Myers worked on the faculty of East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine. Dr. Myers maintained a clinical genetics practice and a genetics laboratory that was primarily designed to address birth defects. He also served as the Chairman for the Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Family Medicine. After 10 years, the Myers moved to Lubbock, Texas, where Dr. Myers served on the faculty of Texas Tech University School of Medicine and maintained his clinical genetics practice and laboratory. Dr. Myers became the Associate Dean of the Amarillo campus of the Texas Tech University School of Medicine and later moved to Amarillo, Texas. Upon retirement from his deanship, Dr. Myers accepted a position with the ACGME (which nationally accredits residency programs) and moved to Plano, Texas. In 2006, Dr. Myers formally retired and moved to Benbrook, Texas, to be close to his grandchildren. Dr. Myers resided in Benbrook, Texas, until the time of his death.

Dr. Myers had three primary passions during his lifetime. First, he was an avid philatelist (stamp collector). This was a hobby that he began as a child which later grew to boast the ownership of a 1918 USA Inverted Jenny (the stamp made famous by the movie, Brewster’s Millions) among thousands of other rare collector’s items. Second, he was a passionate traveler dedicated to filling his passport with stamps from as many countries as he could. At the time of his death, he had visited 234 countries (and many of them several times). Finally, he was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, who was passionate about the welfare and education of his family (especially his grandchildren).

Dr. Myers lived life his way and on his own terms. Sometimes the brilliant scholar, sometimes the rambunctious curmudgeon, but always the reliable and resourceful patriarch.

A memorial service will be scheduled once the COVID risk diminishes.