JOHN P. MEYER - OBITUARY

September 8, 1932 - January 26, 2016

John P. Meyer, 83, Fargo, died Tuesday at Sanford Palliative Care Fargo

John P. Meyer was born in Karlsruhe, ND on September 8th, 1932 to Tony and Dorothy (Steir) Meyer. At A young age the family moved to Granville, ND where he attended his first nine years of school. One of those years he attended ‘country school’ in a one room school house. In 1948 the family moved to Minot where John graduated from Minot High School.

In January 1951, John was called to active duty with B battery 188th Field Artillery Battalion and the North Dakota Army National Guard. After his basic training he was sent to Korea and served as a Forward Observer with the 31st F A BN., and as a RECON Sgt. with the 17th Inf. REGT., both with the 7th Infantry Division. He received several promotions and at the age of 19 was one of the youngest Section Leaders in the entire division. He was wounded in combat on August 5, 1952. He received a Purple Heart as a result of his wounds. He returned to the United States and was discharged from the Army on October 23, 1952. After his discharge from the Army he managed restaurants in Minot and Williston.

John married Lillian Ronning at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Williston. They moved to Fargo in 1956 and started working for Standard Oil. In 1963 he was recognized as one of ten operators, from an organization of over 33,000, as Outstanding Standard Oil Dealer. He was also selected as Trainer/Dealer to train new Standard Oil service station operators. During his employment with Standard Oil he bought two service stations, both of which were sold in 1966 when he was appointed Veteran Service Officer (VSO) for Cass County.

During his years as VSO he served on the Veteran Service Officers organization as Secretary/Treasurer for 23 years, Vice President for one year, and one year as President. During his lifetime he served as Post Service Officer for the VFW, Adjutant Treasurer for the DAV, Veteran’s Affairs Voluntary Service representative for the American Legion/AM VETS, and State Adjutant for the Catholic War Veterans. As an advisor to the National Alliance of Businessmen, he provided input to assist unemployed, under employed, ex-offenders and Viet Nam era veterans. John was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

John served as Cass County Commissioner from 1996 to 2004. He served on the Cass County Water Resource District, Red River Joint Water Board, and the Fargo Cass County Economic Development Corporation. He held portfolio appointments for Disaster Emergency Services, Jail, Juvenile Detention, Sheriffs Dept, and Cass County Social Service Board. He also served as Chair of the South East North Dakota Counties resolution committee, the North Dakota Association of Counties and as Special Deputy for 23 years. He was a member of the Air National Guard from 1963 to 1984. He worked at Boulger Funeral Home from 1980 to the present. He represented Cass County as a member on the Fair Board.

He enjoyed time spent at Buffalo Lake where he drove the boat teaching well in excess of 100 kids to water ski. His favorite hobbies were playing cards, pinochle, and playing his accordion in the Sons of Norway Accordion Band.

The Meyer family are charter members of Nativity Catholic Church. John was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

John is survived by his wife Lillian; seven children Dale Meyer, Rosemary (Warren) Ackley, Catherine Meyer, Barbara (Lee) Haacke, Karen (Dan) Tehle, Mary (Mark) Hoff, Christine Meyer, 8 brothers and sisters Rosemary (Vernon) Bailey, Towner ND, Kay McCreary, Minot ND, Donald (Sondra) Santa Rosa CA, Gerald Meyer, Great Falls MT, Gary (Bonnie) Fort Peck, MT, Marcella Gehringer, Circle MT, Patricia Bradford, Minot ND and Bobby (Joan) Wolf Point MT., 8 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren.

John is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Joseph, Leander, Jackie, sisters Dorothy and Regina, and grandson Jonathan Day.

There will be visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center on Friday evening. The Funeral Mass will be at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday at Nativity Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to Mass. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery North.

- See more at: http://boulgerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/john-meyer-