John Meyer

BENTON, Mo. -- John I. Meyer of Newton, Mass., formerly of Benton and St. Louis, passed away March 1, 2012.

Mr. Meyer was former vice president of Sverdrup and Parcel, a large international architectural and engineering firm. His design projects included major sports arenas and many government and NASA-related structures, as well as some of the larger initial Saudi Arabian ministry buildings.

John was a decorated airman in the service of his country in both World War II and the Korean War. His work in helping to develop sophisticated radar technologies and his airborne combat implementations were important to the success of his many missions. His beautifully crafted autobiography of his early military career, "The Wartime Odyssey of a Radar Officer," gives great insight into his life and times.

John was the beloved husband of 67 years to Bertha Bles Meyer of Benton and the loving father of his three children, Pamela Love of Dallas, Linda Hamill of Farmington, Mo., and John Meyer Jr. of Newton. He had nine grandchildren: Anna Love Usry, Kathryn Love and Daniel Love of Dallas, Andrew Hamill, Clara Hamill and Patrick Joseph Hamill of Farmington, Diana Meyer Dunn of Sarasota, Fla, and John and Henry Meyer of Boston. He also had three great-grandchildren: Landon Usry, Ellis Usry and Kylie Love.

Visitation will be from 9 until 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with the Rev. Michael Casteel officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in St. Denis Catholic Cemetery.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton is in charge of arrangements.