Obituary of J Carl Meyer

J. Karl Meyer died September 21, 2015 in Tucson, AZ of complications from dementia. He was born October 14, 1931 in St. Marys, PA to Cecelia Kosco and Edward Meyer, and graduated from Central Catholic H.S. in St. Marys. During the Korean Conflict, Karl served as an Army corporal at Fort Smith, AR. "I made sure the enemy never crossed the Arkansas border," he quipped. He earned a degree in journalism from St. Bonaventure University, and wrote a popular humor column for the college newspaper. Karl married his wife of 50 years, Eileen, on August 27, 1955 at Sacred Heart Church in St. Marys. Karl and Eileen had eight children: Jennifer, Margaux, Ann, Mimi, John, Joel, Nancy and George and three grandchildren: Poppy, Charlie and Anthony, who survive them. After Eileen's passing in 2006, Karl married Janis Cotten of Tucson. She died in 2013. Karl was preceded in death by his sister, MaryLou and brother, George. He is survived by sister, Paula: brothers, Jake and Ed, and aunt, Evelyn age 101. Karl worked for Potomac Edison in Hagerstown, MD, then ran the Chamber of Commerce in Binghamton, NY. In 1966, Karl moved his family west to head the Development Authority for Tucson's Economy. He later worked with Eileen at Tucson Realty & Trust. Karl treasured Arizona's sunshine and expansive vistas, and lived there for the rest of his life. A member of the Old Pueblo Club, Skyline Country Club, the YMCA and the Rotary Club, Karl liked people and was cherished for his wry take on life. Devotedly Catholic, he walked to Mass most afternoons at the Benedictine Sanctuary. Other passions included Wildcat basketball, ice cream and collecting Mexican handicrafts. Karl was a gifted fly fisherman and could tie masterful dry and wet flies. He was the only person ever to beat attorney Eric Hager at ping pong. His favorite vacation spots were Jackson Hole, WY, where he fished with buddy Paul Reiling, and Del Mar, CA, where Eileen played the thoroughbreds while Karl prowled the thrift shops. He enjoyed tracking down vintage Time Life volumes and filling them with wild captions, often written on Post-it Notes. They were wickedly funny. Needing care in his eighties, Karl moved to the Villas at Houghton, where he was an eager participant in games and activities. He considered the kindhearted staff there his extended family. A Celebration of Karl's life is planned for next summer in Pennsylvania. Contributions in his name can be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 800 N. Country Club Rd., Tucson, AZ 85716. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.