Dean Lynwood Myers

Dean L. Myers, born on October 13, 1934 in Crowell, TX to Charlie (Jake) Myers and Lula Mae Ryder, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024 at the age of 89 leaving behind a legacy of resilience, adventure and dedication. He was raised in the heart of the Great Depression, three brothers in the small community of Gilliland in Knox County, southwest of Wichita Falls, Texas.

Dean was a man of stature and integrity. He was proud to be an American, a Texan, and he loved agriculture. He grew up in Gilliland and left high school after his freshman year, believing there was more to life than he could find in a classroom. Time would prove him right. At fifteen years of age, Dean went to cowboying, working for his cousin Bill Ryder on the family ranch in Benjamin, TX and eventually other ranching operations in Texas and Colorado.

In 1957, he served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman, stationed in Germany in the Fourth Armored Division. Upon returning home, he joined the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association (PRCA) entering rodeos as a steer wrestler, saddle bronc rider and calf roper. His biggest prize was winning San Antonio in 1959 when he won $3,000, followed by a $2,700 win in Houston in 1960. He traveled throughout the U.S participating in rodeos, receiving his Gold Card from the PRCA in 1977.

While participating in a rodeo at the Denver Stock Show and Rodeo, he was spotted as a scout for Phillip Morris, the company that manufactured Marlboro Cigarettes. In a short time, he became a “Marlboro Man” and one of the foundational faces for the company in the early to mid-1970s appearing on billboards, magazines, calendars and other advertisements. In the later years of his career Dean took on more production duties.

Dean remained true to his love of agriculture, establishing the Walking M Ranch near Seymour, Texas with his wife, Donna. Dean loved ranching, team roping, and time spent with his family.

He was known for telling great stories with his signature dry wit and sense of humor, finishing them with a smile that would fill the room and leaving everyone laughing. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers and wife, Donna. He is survived by sons: Mike and wife, Pat, Marty Dean and Steve, daughter: Quenna Terry and husband, Mark. Grandchildren, Marisa and husband, Paul, Deidra and husband, Cullen, KC Kay, Stevie Marie, Jesse Dean and husband, Austin, and Great grandchildren: Anthony Myers, Joslyn Vigil, Avery Yonts, Zaylee Fusselman and Hallie Heinrich.

Visitation will be held at Archer Funeral Home from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17.

Services for Dean are planned for 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 18 at the First Baptist Church on Washington St. in Seymour. To join virtually, please visit the First Baptist Church of Seymour, Texas Facebook page.  Services under the direction of Archer Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be sent to the Working Ranch Cowboy Foundation, 408 SW 7th Avenue, Amarillo, TX 79101

wrca.org