Bio, 2014: Jack Myers
I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s bio’s and stories. I wish I had had the opportunity to have gotten to know everyone better at CE Donart. Many of you still left a lasting impression. I’m glad our paths crossed. It’s amazing the choices we made, the paths we took, and where we ended up.Here’s my bio. Sorry, this format was easier for me.
49-56 - My family lived in Stillwater and I attended Highland Park.
63-January - My family moved back to Stillwater. CE Donart was a much larger school, more students with more activities and events. I think it was May 64 before I found my locker.
64- May - Right after graduation, I drove to Southern California with my cousin Jimmy McCalester and our favorite uncle. It was a “bitchen” summer, went to the beach (a lot), drove a “boss” Ferrari convertible sports car (a lot), and met Miss April 1967 (Gwen was a friend of my Aunt’s).
64- September- I returned to Stillwater to attend Oklahoma State University for the fall semester. I had NO clue as to what I wanted to major in and where I was going. My college advisor (knucklehead) thought I should be Sociology major, (whatever that was). And I found out about “drop & add” the hard way. It was a “Bummer” year. I had no focus or motivation. But I did find many uses for a “church-key” and what it really meant to be “blitzed”.
64 - October - I worked at Sandy’s Hamburgers, where I was promoted from Fry master, to Grill master, and then to Day Assistant Manager. They offered me a full scholarship to Hamburger college. I declined.
65- January - Uncle Sam gave me a special invitation. Since I was no longer enrolled in college, they were going to forego ‘the draft’. All the letter said was “Greetings”,”Have I got a deal for you”. I immediately joined United States Navy Reserve Unit in Stillwater. I was assigned to a ship, home ported out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, (Fun place to visit but too expensive to do too much on a serviceman’s pay). In the Navy, I was able to visit most of Far East including three trips to Vietnam.
68- Back to the World. And back to Sandy’s. They offered me a full scholarship to Hamburger college. I declined again.
69- I joined Oklahoma State University Police. I found my niche. I couldn’t get enough of Police stuff and training. I was promoted after my first year and started training the other officers. I knew there had to be more to the job and training than what I was getting. And yes, I wrote a lot of parking tickets.
70- I met Jamie at the OSU Student Union coffee shop. Flirty waitress. She was a Tulsa Memorial HS Grad majoring in Elementary Ed. Jamie helped me refine my focus and goals. She gave me direction. We were married in June 71.
72- August - I resigned from OSUPD to take advantage of my GI Educational benefits. I started at NEO A&M, Miami as a Criminal Justice Administration major. Loved it. Found out about Grants & Scholarships so I didn’t’ have to really work and dedicated myself to studies. I got involved in just about everything at school. Also while attending NEO, I worked on a cattle ranch where I was the foreman and the only cowpoke. I still think ‘cow tipping’ is a lost art.
74- May - I graduated from NEO and continued on to Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, (home of the “Fighting Mules”) majoring in Criminal Justice Admin. I worked for the CMSU Campus Police while completing my BS degree.
76- February- I joined the Tulsa Police Department. I was born to do this stuff. I worked many different assignments in the next 28 years. I have saved lives, caught bad guys, and investigated crimes; some of which you can’t even imagine. I’ve seen many people at their very worst. And I have been there to help them thru their trials, tribulations & dilemmas.
As much as I enjoyed working the streets and being a “crime fighter”, and on the front line fighting for “Truth, Justice & the American way’, I worked several years at the Tulsa Police Academy. My training and investigative skills developed rapidly and I started instructing classes for TPD and other metro Police departments. I also was able to network and collaborate with State and Federal Law Enforcement organizations and taught classes throughout Oklahoma.
95-05—I was an Adjunct Professor at Rogers State University for their Criminal Justice program.
2004- May - I retired from Tulsa PD and joined Jenks Public Schools as the Chief of Campus Police. A secondary school is the last place I would have guessed I would ever work. Jenks PS has 1200 employees, 11,600 students, 35 square miles in two cities. I try my best to provide a safe learning environment and keep everyone alert and informed. I recently completed a class for all our staff on “Stranger Danger” for adults in the workplace. It is a sad fact of the times.
2014- I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up. But I know it will involve more travel, golf and fishing. I also make and tie my own Bass fishing lures, but I use most of what I tie. I have tried to stay active in some of the Homeland Security and Safety organizations I have been involved with over the years, but find it more and more challenging to do so. I am still on the Board of Directors for Tulsa PC Power. We take donated computers, wipe and reload the original programs. We work with Habitant For Humanity and a variety of other groups and organizations to provide a refurbished and reloaded computer. Computers are also donated to individuals and students on a need and case by case basis.
Jamie and I are still married and have three great kids & 5 awesome grandkids. Jamie helps me refine my focus and goals daily. She gives me direction whether I want it or not. Jamie is a fighter. She survived being shot during a bank robbery in 1999 only to discover she has a bad case of the Big C. She has survived several radical surgeries, chemo, the side affects and is still fighting. Her case is very rare and there is no known cure. Yep we are working on our bucket list.
Our kids all graduated from Broken Arrow HS and they have their degrees from OSU. Daniel, our oldest, is a Nuclear Electrical Technician, a certified Operator and trainer for his power plant. He and Angela stopped at 4 super grandkids (Braden, Trevin, Landon, & Lila). Jeffrey just completed his Masters in Air & Space Management and was promoted to International Grounds Manager & the trainer for his company. He and Sabrina (CPA & MBA in International Business) plan to home base in Cologne Germany soon because of their business travels. I foresee another trip to Europe in our future. We are still waiting on grandbabies here. Jessica decided to be a HS Biology teacher; after trying 5 other majors. She loved teaching AP students; who wanted to learn. But she discovered being a full time mom can be a great time also. She and Jared (& Alexander) live in Broken Arrow about five miles from us. Besides Jared’s family business, they have a prospering photography business. www.tulsaphotovideo.com
It sounds like Ann and crew have gone all out to plan for a great time for everyone at the reunion. Sorry we will not be there to enjoy the activities with everyone. I look forward to reading your reviews and seeing the photos.
I do feel truly blessed.
©2009 Stillwater High School Class of 1964