Four generations of Myers visit Olney Heritage Museum

It was the year 1978, when the city of Olney came together for something nobody could possibly script even if they tried. The city of Olney was without water, having only a few days of water remaining. Al Myers—who served on many of the boards in Olney— was mayor at this time with many connections throughout the state. Myers contacted DR Criswell, who he knew had laid pipeline over the top of the ground so soldiers could get water and thought the same procedure could be done in Olney.

Criswell was convinced that this would work, although many engineers were telling him that this could not be done. Myers solicited help from Red Livingston of Megargel to help with the project. Livingston and his crew hauled the pipe from all parts of the state back to Olney and laid out the pipe from the Olney Lake to Lake Kickapoo. While the men assembled the pipes, everyone in the town chipped in to help despite the hot temperature of 115 degrees.

“Everyone in the town took two days off work, including the high school boys who were let out of school to help. The women brought food and water as the men laid the pipelines. Businesses were shut down, too. It was great to see everybody come together,” said Jan, Al’s wife. “It saved the town of Olney!”

Six generations of the Myers family have lived in Olney. The first generation of Myers began with R.E. Myers who married Sadie Hunt. R.E and family stayed in Olney, which led to the second generation with A.D. and Bonnie Myers. Later, A.D. and Bonnie had Al, who married Jan. The couple had five children: Melody Myers Rogers, Kathy Myers, Robert Myers, Michelle McGee and Mike Myers. Daughter Michelle McGee is pictured with her sister Melody who is pictured with her son, Rue Rogers—the Mayor Pro Tem in Olney and his wife Anna and their two children, Ross, and the family’s newest bundle of joy, Audrey. Ross is the sixth generation of the Myers family.

The children who are not included in the photograph comprises the oldest, Kathy who currently resides in Dallas and was previously an administrator for an assisted living facility where she retired. Robert lives in Dallas, and he is president of Myers Development Company. Mike Myers lives in Aledo and is an insurance adjuster for USAA in the Dallas area.