jay-meyers

Jay Meyers Passes Away

jay-meyersJay Meyers and Mr Lena CD were the 2010 Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association Futurity Amateur Reserve Champions • Photo by ScootemnshootemMerle Jay Meyers of Bannock Creek, Pocatello, Idaho unexpectedly passed away on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, while enjoying one of his most treasured pastimes – showing horses at the Magic Valley Reined Cow Horse Association Futurity. He was 65.

Meyers was born May 17, 1949, as the second child to Merle and Dorothy Meyers. He attended school in American Falls, Idaho, and participated in wrestling and rodeo. After high school he attended Ricks College and Idaho State University before law school at the University of Idaho. He married Paula Liese in 1971 shortly before moving to Moscow, Idaho, for law school.

Meyers’ successful law career included arguing more than 20 Idaho Supreme Court cases and serving on the Idaho State Bar character and fitness and professional responsibility committees. He was also a past president of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and was recently awarded the Distinguished Lawyer Award by the Idaho State Bar.

In 1985, Meyers’ son John was born. Meyer taught him a strong work ethic and integrity through his example. Father and son sent each other weekly emails titled “Weekend Reports,” detailing their pursuits and activities which are a treasured store of wisdom and guidance from father to son.

Meyer married Ranae Pumphrey in 1992 and together they worked to build a successful horse and cow operation and raise their family. They welcomed the birth of their daughter, Jamie, in 1994. Jamie was the light of their home and filled each day with precious laughter and joy. She loved her horses, longhorn cow, kittens, and helping her parents around the ranch. Her tragic passing in 2003 left a huge scar on the hearts of everyone that loved her.

After Jamie’s passing and with John at college, Meyer and his wife became heavily involved with training and showing their horses in regional reined cow horse competitions. Meyers’ goal was to win the National Reined Cow Horse Association Futurity at Reno on a horse he had bred, trained, and shown himself. He won multiple year-end championships, and in 2010, he was inducted into the Eastern Idaho Horseman’s Hall of Fame for his tireless efforts to promote equine pursuits in Idaho.

Meyer is preceded in death by his daughter, Jamie, his father, Merle, and beloved mentors Sherm Swim, Mr. Elwell and Herman McDevitt. He is survived by his wife, Ranae, his mother, Dorothy, his son, John and his wife, Courtney, grandson Porter, brother, Jerry, sister, Judy, and a multitude of loving nieces and nephews.