GEORGE MICHAEL MEYERS MARCH 20, 1937 – SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

With heavy hearts our family is announcing the passing of George Michael Meyers, 86, of Rapid City, South Dakota on September 6, 2023.  George was a beloved and cherished husband, father, and grandfather.

He was loved by all that knew him.

George was born to Ruby and Leo Meyers on March 20, 1937, in Iowa City, Iowa. His family then moved to Huron, South Dakota when he was a year old. When he was 5 his family moved to Renton, Washington where his dad worked for Boeing during World War II and later, they moved back to Huron where George graduated from Huron high School.

As a teen George, nickname Corky, was involved in many sports including golf, baseball, football, basketball, pole vault and track.  During his lifetime George was known for his golfing success.  He first became interested in golf while he was a caddy at the Huron Country Club. His first golf clubs were left-handed, given to him by a Huron Country Club member, whom George caddied for.

After graduating from high school George attended Huron College and then enlisted in the Army where he was assigned to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, and volunteered for the 82nd Airborne. While in the Army he could brag that he golfed with the famous golfer Ray Floyd and consistently beat him.  George was 21 and Ray 18.

After his discharge from the Army, he returned to Huron where he met Colleen (Coke) Robinson. They were married in July 1959 and then moved to Rapid City. Four daughters were born of this marriage, Tami, Michelle, Kelly, and Georgia. He loved his daughters, and was always there to listen, encourage, coach, and give advice when asked.  George was always a good listener. His motto was "you learn more by listening than talking."   He had one son, Johnnie, who he admired for taking up the game of golf like his dad.  He was proud of all his kids and the success they have achieved in life.

In 1988 he added 3 more boys, Dave, Rick, and Douglas, to his family when he married the love of his life, Myrna Otten.   George and Myrna enjoyed a very full life together.  Their marriage was blessed with laughter and fun.  They continued to live in Rapid City and after retiring he enjoyed get-togethers with friends, traveling, golfing, hunting, fishing, going to Denver Bronco games and looking forward for any time they could spend with any or all their 8 children. The "Brady Bunch" Oh how he enjoyed those times. When the kids came home, he loved taking them on rides through the Black Hills.

During his lifetime George was vice-president of the Rapid City Jaycees, vice-president of Arrowhead Country Club, and a 40-year member of the Rapid City Elks Lodge. He purchased Marty's Liquor Store in Lead, South Dakota. Later he purchased the Mobil gas station which he turned into Hi-Grade Liquor and Convenience Store. Over the years he expanded Hi-Grade to add a deli, bakery, and a pub which he continued to operate until he sold it in 1998.  After selling his business he went to work as the office manager for Black Hills Auto Auction until he retired in 2013.

George is well known for his golfing achievements.  During his golfing years George became the 21st person to be inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. His golfing accomplishments include one South Dakota Golf Association (SDGA) Championship in 1967 and was the first Match Play Champion from Rapid City. In addition to his SDGA Championship George was runner-up in 1970. He also competed in the Tournament of Champions in Johnston, Pennsylvania, and won the long-driving contest with a distance of 328 yards. George's longest drive ever was accomplished at the Aberdeen Country Club in 1959 when he hit a drive of 430 yards. Yes, you heard the right… 430 yards. He was named South Dakota's Independent Athlete of the Year in 1967 and was inducted into the Rapid City Hall of Fame as Athlete of the Year in 1986.

George was on the golf teams at both Huron High School and Huron College. He competed in tournaments in western and eastern South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota, Nebraska, and North Carolina where he won many tournaments, medalist honors and team events. George also served on the SDGA Board from 1967 to 1976 along with serving as Secretary-Treasurer of the Black Hills Golf Association Board for over 42 years. He also served for many years on the Golf Digest course rating and helped start the Junior Golf Program.

George will be greatly missed by his wife Myrna; daughters Tami (Bob) Dormady, Michelle (Jim) Brunn, Kelly (JD) Rothberg, Georgia Meyers; son Johnnie (Carrie) Sack; and step sons: David (Johnalee) Otten; Rick Otten;  Douglas (Kris) Otten; Grandkids: Joshua (Christina) Dormady; Beckie (Tim) Wolske; Zaxton, Bonnie, Kelsey Rothberg, Katie (Jim) Browning; Keegan Sack; Amelia and Eric Otten; Justin (Jamie) Totten ; in-laws Elaine Jongeling, Claudette Jensen, and Tom (Cecelia) Janssen and 5 Great grandkids, Evelyn and Delilah Dormady; Ian Wolske; Saige and River Totten; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: Parents: Ruby and Leo  Meyers; Sister and brother-in-law Doris and John Gutowski, brother Leroy (Bud) Meyers, brothers-in-laws Harvey Jensen, and Roger Jongeling.

A very special thank you to Monumental Health Hospital and the entire team of doctors, nurses and specialists that worked tirelessly and with great care and compassion.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Parkinsons Foundation in memory of George Meyers.

Service will be held on October 27th at Emmanuel Episcopal church at 10am, which will include the story of George's life, followed by a 1pm ceremony with military honors at the Black Hills National Cemetery.  Celebration of his life will continue at the Elks Lodge from 4:00pm-6:00pm.  All golfers who would like to hit a ball off the 1st tee box in George's honor will be invited to do so at 4:00pm.  Bring your driver and write your name on your ball!