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Ray Warren Myers

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Ray Warren Myers

Birth	:	22 Aug 1889
Death	:	1 Mar 1973
Burial	:	Zion Lutheran Grand Prairie Cemetery, Platte Center, Platte County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.5546989, -97.5702972
Description	:	Father of Elmer Everett Myers. "Salem Ray" Ray Warren Myers, son of Fred and Nannie Pennington Myers, was born August 22, 1889, on the family farm one and one-half miles from Salem, Kansas. At that time Salem, a little inland city near the western border of Jewell County, was rapidly moving away, mainly to New Lebanon a short distance to the southwest, a relocated Old Lebanon which had been some three and one-half miles to the southwest until the railroad came in 1887. Many Salem businessmen relocated in New Lebanon because of the railroad. Ray attended Salem rural... Read More	Father of Elmer Everett Myers. "Salem Ray" Ray Warren Myers, son of Fred and Nannie Pennington Myers, was born August 22, 1889, on the family farm one and one-half miles from Salem, Kansas. At that time Salem, a little inland city near the western border of Jewell County, was rapidly moving away, mainly to New Lebanon a short distance to the southwest, a relocated Old Lebanon which had been some three and one-half miles to the southwest until the railroad came in 1887. Many Salem businessmen relocated in New Lebanon because of the railroad. Ray attended Salem rural school and went to high school in Lebanon but never completed his course because he was needed at home. He was united in marriage to Minnie A. Hartman, daughter of a neighbor, April 5, 1911, and they began their lives together on the farm where he was born. A son, Elmer, was born to this union but their happiness in parenthood was doomed when the little lad was taken from them by death in 1916, when he was four years old. Ray was a farmer and stockman until 1944, when he accepted a state position that placed him in charge of the Lebanon Port of Entry. He held this position for 12 years until his retirement in 1956. While living on the farm he served as township trustee for several terms and was also a member of his local school board. He was a baseball fan all his life. His love for the national pastime began as a lad when he learned the rudiments of the game and continued into young manhood. He became a local star on the diamond, pitching, and when not on the mound, playing the "hot corner" at third base. Many of his fondest memories were of the rivalry and closely contested games in which he participated. But baseball was second to another interest he developed early in life - writing for newspapers - and it continued until he was no longer able to finger the keys on his typewriter - in fact until his last consciousness. For over 60 years his column, headed "Salem", appeared in various weekly newspapers. Perhaps the highlight of his career came in 1928, when he attended the National Republican Convention in Kansas City as a member of the Press. His columns sparkled with the every day happenings of his friends and neighbors and with memories that reached back to boyhood. Common happenings became important through his kindly philosophy and his keen insight into the every-day events that make life worth living. His column, always headed "Salem," had a central theme - Salem. That city once had over 500 people, he believed, but it began dying when the railroad came in 1887. And though it continued to die until the last building was torn down or moved away and even after his beloved Salem church was discontinued and the building sold, but he kept it alive until he wrote his column in 1972. Only the site remained, but Salem was there forever in his memory and his thoughts. And so, to thousands of readers, he became "Salem Ray," a man dedicated to his native community and to the people, past and present, who lived in or near it. It was a cruel blow when his Salem church was disorganized but his faith remained firm and he transferred his membership to the United Methodist Church in Lebanon where he remained a loyal member to the end of his days. "Salem Ray" became a legend and in countless homes clippings from his columns are preserved among the family keepsakes, now monuments to a man who loved his neighbors and his friends and who, for over 60 years, made it his life's work to tell about the happenings in their lives -- the happy things, little jibes that made them smile, sympathy in their sorrows, encouragement in their disappointments. All this in addition to his beloved Salem. "Mrs. Scribe," his affectionate title for Mrs. Myers, when he mentioned her in his column, shared and contributed to his joys and happiness for almost 62 years, they bore their sorrows and burdens together and she cared for him in sickness and in health until he required professional care. As a newspaperman writes "30" at the end of his column, so "Salem Ray" inscribed it in the hearts of those who loved him when he died in the Webster County Hospital at Red Cloud, Nebraska, March 1, 1973, after a long period of failing health. Preceding him in death were his parents; his son, Elmer; a brother, C. Clyde Myers; and two sisters, Miss Ethel Myers and Miss Mada Myers. Left with treasured memories are his beloved Minnie of the home in Lebanon; a sister, Mrs. Mattie Pixler of Lebanon; a brother, Fred Myers of Turlock, California; seven nieces and nephews; and thousands of friends, including many who never knew him personally, but were acquainted with him through his writings. Though "Salem Ray" has passed into another existence the reams upon reams of his writings are preserved for all time in the files of the newspapers he served and for a lifetime in the hearts and memories of his readers. Memorial services were held Monday afternoon, March 5, 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Lebanon with Reverend Burnis Humphrey officiating. Musicians were Robert Maydew and Norris Maydew with organist, Dorothy Amen. Casket bearers were Junior Langdon, Walter Kellogg, Harvey McCaulley, Charles Shields, George Sanderson and Howard Royce. Interment was in the Salem Cemetery. The Lebanon Times, Lebanon, Kansas March 8, 1973

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Ray Warren Myers's memorial?
Ray Warren Myers's memorial is located at: Zion Lutheran Grand Prairie Cemetery, Platte Center, Platte County, USA.
When did Ray Warren Myers death?
Ray Warren Myers death on 1 Mar 1973 in
Where are the coordinates of the Ray Warren Myers's memorial?
Latitude: 41.5546989
Longitude: -97.5702972

Family Members:

Parent

Frederick Jefferson Myers

(1855 - 1916)

Nancy A. Pennington Myers

(1863 - 1916)

Spouse

Minnie Adaline Hartman Myers

(1889 - 1980)

Siblings

Mattie E. Myers Pixler

(1887 - 1976)

Children

Elmer Everette Myers

(1912 - 1916)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Zion Lutheran Grand Prairie Cemetery
Platte Center, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5546989, -97.5702972

2. German Lutheran Martens Cemetery
Platte Center, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5550200, -97.5707000

3. Greenwood Cemetery
Platte Center, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5708008, -97.5802994

4. Burrows Cemetery
Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5983009, -97.5813980

5. Saint Anthony Catholic Cemetery
Tarnov, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5919520, -97.5300120

6. Postville Cemetery
Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5924644, -97.6203079

7. New Hope Cemetery
Monroe, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5413000, -97.6520000

8. Moriah Cemetery
Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6268997, -97.5622025

9. Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Monroe, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5651140, -97.6740360

10. Saint Michaels Cemetery
Tarnov, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6178017, -97.5042038

11. Saint Johns Catholic Cemetery
Lindsay, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6293500, -97.6282500

12. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Platte Center, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5032997, -97.4452972

13. West Hill Cemetery
Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5558014, -97.7161026

14. Palestine Cemetery
Rosenborg, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5980000, -97.7057000

15. Granville Cemetery
Cornlea, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6712450, -97.5542160

16. Friends Cemetery
Oconee, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4775009, -97.6941986

17. Saint Mary of the Angels Cemetery
Humphrey, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6444000, -97.4584000

18. Gruetli Cemetery
Monroe, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4290000, -97.5810000

19. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Cornlea, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6808014, -97.5708008

20. Streeter Cemetery
Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5988998, -97.4085999

21. Bethany Lutheran Cemetery
Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6232700, -97.7177200

22. Shell Creek Baptist Cemetery
Platte Center, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5692000, -97.3887000

23. Saint Francis Cemetery
Humphrey, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6921997, -97.4935989

24. Saint Johns Lutheran Church Cemetery
Columbus, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6225000, -97.3873000