Grady Curtis Myers, 61
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 13 years, 5 months AGO
Grady Curtis Myers - artist, decorated combat veteran, car aficionado, storyteller and most of all loving father - died July 30, 2011, in Boise. He was 61.
Grady was born Oct. 6, 1949, in Roswell, N.M. He was the son of O.V. "Zeke" Myers and Mary Thornton Myers. He grew up in an Air Force family, and moved frequently as a child. The family eventually settled in Boise, where Grady graduated from Borah High School in 1967. He served with the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War, and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered from small arms fire during an ambush in 1969.
Grady attended the Burnley School for Professional Arts and Boise State College. He went on to a career as a newspaper artist with The Idaho Statesman in Boise and The Spokesman-Review in Spokane. He later worked as a graphic information specialist for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests in Coeur d'Alene.
His artistic accomplishments were diverse. They ranged from decorations on his squad's combat helmets to a tourist map of Boise; from historic signs along North Idaho's Route of the Hiawatha trail to T-shirts for the Bare Buns Fun Run. His drawings are in the collection of the Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago.
Wherever he lived - including Boise, Spokane and Post Falls - he was known for his enthusiasm for classic automobiles, especially those in need of rescue and ongoing attention.
Grady was married to Rayleen Burgess, then Julie Titone ending in divorce.
He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jake L. Myers and Sarah Myers of Albuquerque, N.M.; a daughter, Mary Megan Myers of Las Vegas, Nev.; stepson Kevin Myers of Hillsboro, Ore.; stepson and daughter-in-law John and Helen Myers of Boise; granddaughter Alexandra Myers and step-granddaughters Emily Myers and Mariah Frank.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Ken Myers.
No funeral service is planned. In September, family and friends will hold a celebration of Grady's life in Boise. Please sign Grady's online memorial at www.cremationsociety-idaho.com.
