Kelly I. “Kim” Myers, Jr., age 67, of Lake City, died Monday, March 20, 2017 in the V.A. Medical Center in Gainesville, Fl., following a brief illness. Raised in Fort McCoy, Fl., by his grandparents, Tom and LaVera Best, Myers moved to Lake City in 1979 from Palatka. Myers was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict, having served in the U.S. Marine Corp. from 1968 to 1972. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Medal of Valor. He earned the title of Master Technician and could fix anything mechanically operated. He worked with OXY Chemicals from 1979 to 1984. He then went to work with Bob’s Marine Village, until 1998 when he took a position at McDuffie’s Marine and Sporting Goods, where he remained until his retirement in 2012. He then turned to the art of making turkey calls. He and his wife, Val, established “Katie’s Calls” in 2013, specializing in personally made turkey calls. Myers was a Christian man and he enjoyed a true love of taking care of God’s nature and animals. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his “Mom” Verda Best, his “Uncle Brother” Tom Best, Jr. and his much beloved “Kelly’s Girls,” Good Golly Miss Molly Best and Katie Darlin’.
Myers is survived by the love of his life, wife of forty-two years, Valerie Stout “Val” Myers; his sister, “Ve” and John Hardy, Citra, Fl., his brothers, Lyndsey “Scooter” Fackler (Sylvia), Fort McCoy, Fl.; Tommy Gene Fackler (Lori) Reddick, Fl.; Sgt. Andy Andrews (Karen) “I love you like a brother. SEMPER FI,” a niece who was more like a daughter, “Wild Child” Michelle Stokes (Otto) and their son Cody of Texas; much loved and extremely supportive family, Verna and “Sax” Saxon, Lake City; Cindy and Skip Britton, Whitleyville, Tn.; “Kim’s Back Porch Buddy” Marylou and Jesse Reeser, Eau Gallie, Fl.; his nephews, nieces and “greats”, Lil’ Jesse and Angelia Reeser; Josh, Kristen and Cameron Reeser; Vicki, Jeff, A.J. and Nina Reeser; Amanda, Chris and Alyssa Knecht; Brittany, Natalie, and McKenna Britton; Jamie Fackler, Vinae Harrison, Andrea and Laura Fackler. Myers is also survived by his beloved “Mama Judi” his much adored and “beloved girls” Eva Diva and Ginger, and more extended family than could be named, but you all know who you are, and all are loved for it.
Myers will be memorialized and his life celebrated by a gathering of friends, on Saturday, April 8, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Redbud Construction on 25A. Arrangements are under the direction of the Dees-Parrish Family Funeral Home in Lake City. Please leave messages of sympathy for the family at www.parrishfamilyfuneralhome.com.