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Alan Wayne Myers

December 29, 1942  -- May 6, 2009

On June 28th, 2009, family and friends of Alan got together for a celebration of his life. We met at our family home in Salem (Juanita's House) and then drove up to Niagara Park, along the Sanitam River.  Alan had shared with Ann, his sister, that he wished his ashes to be spread in this river.

After discovering posthumously the poem at right, we decided on Niagara Park because it is below the dam, and because of the amazing waterfall there.

Alan's ashes were spread there by sons Barry and Damon, and grandson JJ, and thousands of little bubbles helped begin Alan's final journey ..."to the Sea to be free."

If you were there, THANK YOU for coming to share this important and beautiful moment of closure with us. If you were not able to make it, you can share it with us by viewing the pictures. Thank you for all of the love and support.

And finally, if you knew Alan, please write a few words below and BE SURE to leave your email address so others
may contact you.

 
 

A poem written by Alan several years ago...

Falling over the water
     Fall, the Flower
Gets caught in a
     Whirlpool, and spins
Around,
     Looking for a way
Out. The Bubble and
     the Flower meet and
Help each other to Escape.
     They Flow to the Sea
To be free.
 

A. Myers 1995

 

  

Say a few words about Alan...

This was a live form allowing friends and family to make comments, but some hacker started listing links here, so I had to kill the form and copy and past the comments manually. If you would like your comments listed below, please email them to me at myers.damon@gmail.com and I will post them for you. Thanks to all who wrote.

Date:
10 May 2009
Time:
20:43:15

Comments

My name is Damon Myers, and I am one of Alan's sons. I am the author of this page and I will help coordinate "A Celebration of Alan Myers' Life" in June 2009. You may contact me directly at myers.damon@gmail.com or include your email here and I will contact you once a date has been selected. You may also contact me by phone at 305 588 4412. We look forward to seeing you at Alan's celebration. Please return to this page soon to see photos of Alan, his work, his poetry and more.

Date:
11 May 2009
Time:
09:42:52

Comments

Alan and I met while serving in the Navy. He was so very handsome. We were married - the greatest gift he every gave me was our son Damon Myers - Now age 43. Thanks Alan. LaTrelle

Date:
11 May 2009
Time:
21:03:07

Comments

My brother Alan and I had similar temperaments, and so I felt very close to him. He developed a strong bond with my son Tyler, and got such a kick out of him. I appreciate that he made both of us feel so very loved and special. I will miss him very much. It still doesn't seem possible that he isn't around anymore. But, I sense that he is in a more peaceful place..........I Love You, my big brother, your little sister (Ann)

Date:
11 May 2009
Time:
21:11:33

Comments

I did not have a chance to get to know Alan very well, but in the brief time we had together I was impressed by his deep feeling for his family and the regard he showed for others. His passing leaves a void in the lives of those he knew well, and I know he will be deeply missed. - John Anderson (Ann's husband)

Date:
13 May 2009
Time:
14:36:50

Comments

I met Al at OCE (Monmouth) in 1968. We were both art students. Al was married, living on 17th street in Salem and working at a convinience store a few doors down from his house. I was living in Vets Village with my young daughter. We were friends and enjoyed hanging around the art department. I remember both of us going to take a test to work for the state after we graduated from OCE. Neither of us were very interested and neither of us got jobs working there. Al wanted to make pots. I lost track of him for years at a time. It always seemed like no time had lapsed when we'd occasionally run into each other. Always promising to get together and have a good visit. The last time I saw him we were both shopping at Goodwill in South Salem. He was a very sweet guy and I will miss him. My thoughts are with all of you. Linda Owen <owenpots@aol.com.

Date:
21 May 2009
Time:
14:32:13

Comments

My name is Simone Hill and I am a friend of Damon Myers, one of Alan's son. I've never met Alan but my condolence goes out to the Myers family. redsroadrunner@yahoo.com

Date:
21 May 2009
Time:
20:02:52

Comments

My condolences to the family of Alan, "Butch" as I and our classmates remember him. As a teenager he was a funloving, easy going kid that we all enjoyed. As adults, some of us learned to appreciate the art he created and still have in our homes to enjoy. My prays are with his family. Michele

Date:
23 May 2009
Time:
22:33:45

Comments

My deepest sympathy to the family of "Butch" (as I knew him in h.s.) Words at a time like this always fail me. My memories of Butch are mental pictures of him with a ready smile, good sense of humor, a wonderful energy that conveyed a good spirit and kindness and probably the best looking male in the whole school! I was hoping some day to be able to view his artwork. I did not know him well, but he's not one to be forgotten. Evelyn Schofield Kerns reiki3lady@msn.com

Date:
26 May 2009
Time:
10:06:04

Comments

Ihave not seen Alan/Butch since highschool but I remember him as a great guy, good friend, always had a ready smile, and a shoulder when you needed one. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. I'm sorry I live so far away and cannot attend his Celebration. God Speed my friend. Sylvia Singleton Stanton, Altoon, IA ms_syl@msn.com

Date:
30 May 2009
Time:
13:44:32

Comments

My deepest sympathy to the famliy and friends of Butch....he will not be forgotten ...I have very fond memories of him....we had many classes in high school and they were much more intersting when Butch was sitting behind me.....parties were a lot more fun when he was there.....he was a fun and loving person whom will be greatly missed on this earth....Pat Robinson-Tevik wespat1@verizon.net

Date:
03 Jun 2009
Time:
21:10:54

Comments

How sad we are to lose Allen! That wonderful smiling face and all that talent gone..... I am a classmate of Mr. Duffy's. Have not seen him for about 7 years, sad to say. Bobbi Jacobs donbobbij@oregoncoast.com

Date:
05 Jun 2009
Time:
01:40:00

Comments

My name is Shar Connine. I am one of Alan's many cousins. We all grew up together as one big family. All our mother's were sisters. Alan and my oldest brother Dennis were close, two years in age. Alan's sister Ann is two days older than me. I haven't seen Alan in twelve years, since Dawn, our baby cousin passed away. I never got to know Alan like I would have liked to. I always admired him and the awesome work that he did. I always thought our family had the best two looking guys in the world Alan and Dennis, what hunks they were and always will be. My deepest sympathy goes out to Aunt Juanita ( the best second mom ever) Roger, Ann, Damon, Berry, and family. I truly know what a huge loss this is , and the pain around it. Remembered Joy - Don"t grieve for me, for now I'm free! I follow the plan God laid for me, I saw His face, I heard His call, I took His hand and left it all... I could not stay another day, To love, to laugh, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way. And if my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss... Ah yes, these things I,too, shall miss. My life's been full, I've savoured much: Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief- Don't shorten yours with undue grief. Be not burdened with tears of sorrow, Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow. Peace Be With You Alan

Date:
05 Jun 2009
Time:
01:41:34

Comments

www.dougconnine@clearwire.net

Date:
05 Jun 2009
Time:
14:30:18

Comments

my name is Tyler Brost... i was alans nephew and he was also my best friend. we would always go fishing and play baseball together. alan was the first person ever to teach me how to hit a baseball and thanks to him i now am very good at it. i want to say thanks to aki(alan) for being a great uncle and a great friend, i will miss him.

Date:
06 Jun 2009
Time:
12:49:52

Comments

i met Alan in 1970 when i was "auditioning" for a job in the Clackamas College English department. our ex-wives became fast friends and we obligingly followed their lead. what followed was a series of great fun, feasts, and fourth of july parties -- some of the small kids ( at that time ) say they still remember the skits we put on for them at the farm in Mulino. he was always "Uncle Al, the kiddies' pal," and i played "underwater man" or "mr. wizard." we had as much fun as the little kids in our merriment. the last time we saw each other was at Marcia's memorial, and we said the usual "let's get together," but sadly, we never made it happen. many of us still have Alan's ceramic works in or around our homes, so he will be remembered in some small way. i hope to attend any gathering in Alan's honor, whenever it may be. mike kepler keplatti@comcast.net

Date:
16 Jun 2009
Time:
10:11:22

Comments

My name is Sharon. I think often of Alan and rebuke myself for losing touch. I treasure and use many pieces of his pottery . Back in the 70s he traded plates, bowls, and cups for use of our beach house. Sadly, a brick floor made quick work of some of it, so I have salvaged the best and use it daily in my house in Portland. He was a gracious host, a thoughtful human being, and laughed an honest laugh. I have missed him, and I will be grateful to have an opportunity to celebrate his life with others who feel the same. Please let me know date, time and place. Sharon Streeter. agnesjames@earthlink.net.

Date:
20 Jun 2009
Time:
07:30:55

Comments

Handsome, gentle, artistic, spiritual. Everyone loved Alan, specifically, all the women loved Alan. I met him when we were young, in the 1970’s; he was a Yoga teacher at the time. I might have been one of the great loves in his life; there were at least another four. The mothers of his children, (the yoga teacher) and the tall blond woman from Chicago whom he always talked about fondly, as a life he could have had. He was handsome, gentle, artistic and spiritual in the most quiet way. He never pushed his views on anyone. His view of life had a simplicity that was enchanting and profound. One of the things he would say to me after one of my anxious monologues was: “You get what you get.” He was unencumbered by the many anxieties and worried that affect most of us. He was independent, solitary. He never lied and he never bothered with anything that was small. I used to feel envious of the pots he was throwing on his wheel, thinking I could really use that time of his hands concentrated on one spot. His hands could heal, and without any techniques or fancy names, but just by touching you. There was the gap in our age and in our awareness level. He was and is obviously, still ahead of me. And I know for sure, if his had been the tribal times of his ancestors, Alan would have been shaman, healer and magic man to his people.

Date:
21 Jun 2009
Time:
14:25:06

Comments

I knew Alan when I was in the Navy, stationed at Pensacola, Fl. My friend Karen and I met him at a dance. Later Karen and I introduced him to my sister Latrelle who became his wife and Damon's mother. I remember him as being a very handsome man. Damon's loving aunt, Alexas

Date:

27 Jun 2009
Time:
13:25:40

Comments

Deniece and I have nothing but fond memories of our friendship with Alan over the years. When our kids were small, Alan often invited them to spend a day with him in his studio teaching them the craft of making pottery. Much of Alan's work still adorns our house, including prized pieces the kids made. And of course, the family's favorite holiday for over a decade was the Fourth of July party at his Mulino home--great memories and photos of candy hunts, ball games, 3-legged races, egg tosses, and evening fireworks displays. Sorry we lost touch over the last dozen years or so, but Alan's kindness, generosity and sense of humor will sustain his memory in our family. Tom Richards gladstne@comcast.net

Date:
30 Jun 2009
Time:
22:16:27

Comments

Alan---Well he was an excentrict man when I met him ,He came to visit Damon and I in Hawaii.He had fun with us guy's ,what I most remember,is goin camping in Hana Maui...It was whale season when Alan came,I remember driving down to our camp site and we were all in awe,A whale breached...what an awesome experience ,that's how I remember Alan...I will never forget those memories! Rod

 
Family of Alan Wayne Myers
Contact:  myers.damon@gmail.com
Revised: 09/11/09 08:03:19 -0600.