Roy Dean "Duke" Myers

Roy Dean “Duke” Myers February 17, 1933 – June 20, 2025 Roy Dean “Duke” Myers passed away peacefully at his home on June 20, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the age of 92. Born on February 17, 1933, in Moran, Kansas, to Roy and Dredeldia (Fowler) Myers, Duke lived a life marked by integrity, leadership, and an unwavering devotion to his family and community.

A graduate of Elsmore High School (Class of 1951), Duke went on to attend Neosho County Community College, where he played on the men’s basketball team and graduated in 1953. That same year, he married the love of his life, Beverly (Kern) Myers, on August 29, 1953—having first met her at the Chanute swimming pool. 

Duke served his country in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Following his service, he returned to Elsmore, Kansas, where he operated a local grocery store before transitioning to a career in insurance.

In 1971, Duke was named president of Garnett Savings and Loan. Later that year, he and Beverly moved to Chanute, where he began working as a part-time bank teller at Home Savings Bank. Over the next six years, through hard work and a genuine passion for serving others, he rose through the ranks to become loan officer, then Vice President, and ultimately served as President until his retirement on December 31, 2002.

Duke believed deeply in the value of personal relationships, striving always to “know the customer and call them by name.” He credited every success to the strength of the team around him and was widely admired for his humility, generosity, and the respect he showed to everyone who worked alongside him. 

He was a 68-year member of the Masons, Virginia Lodge #315 in Savonburg, Kansas, a member of the Scottish Rite Order in Fort Scott, Kansas, a Shriner with the Mirza Temple in Pittsburg, Kansas, and a past Director of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court 95, also in Pittsburg. Duke was proud to serve and represent these organizations throughout his life. 

After retirement, Duke and Beverly built their dream home on the island in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they embraced the slower pace of “island time.” His greatest joy was spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—his pride in his family was unmistakable and everlasting. 

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Beverly; his daughter, Katherine Myers Carraway; son-in-law, Sam Carraway; granddaughter, Lindsey Carraway; his parents, Roy and Dredeldia Myers; his sister, Colletta Nelson; and most recently his loyal Labrador, Bella, who passed just six weeks earlier.

Duke’s legacy lives on through his children, Mike Myers and Karen Myers, and his granddaughter Amanda Carraway, whom he lovingly raised as his own following the tragic loss of her family in 1993. He is also survived by grandchildren Jerrad, Sarah, Ashlynne, Courtney, Brittainy, Madison, and great-grandchildren Mackenzie, Tessa, Cecelia, Lydia, Sylvia, Sam, Wesley, Mia, Mateo, Eleanor, Haisley, Huxley, Mailyn, and Irelyn.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 27, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 101 N. Highland Ave., Chanute, Kansas. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Chanute, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital. Checks should be made payable to “Shriners Children” and may be left at the funeral home, the church, or with any family member. Donations will be collected and sent in his honor.

“Roy” “Duke” “Dukie” “Dad” “Pop” “Papa”, whatever name or capacity you knew him as, will be remembered as a man of great character, quiet strength, deep respect, and enduring love. His impact on those who knew him is immeasurable, and his legacy lives on through the family he cherished and the many lives he impacted.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads' Funeral Home. (361) 643-6564 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com