Myron Menefee

Myron N. Menefee, 75, of Concord, California, passed away, Thursday, October 8, 2009, at the John Muir Medical Center in Concord.

Myron Newell Menefee was born in Dexter, Iowa, on September 23, 1934, the son of Maynard Turner and Dorothy Mabel (Newell) Menefee. He attended grade school in Dallas Center and high school in Maynard, Iowa, graduating from Maynard High School in 1952. Myron also attended Iowa State University where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and then transferred to the University of Iowa. Myron had a great love for his country. He answered the call to duty, leaving college to serve in the United States Army in 1958.

On June 25, 1971, he was united in marriage to Nancy Lee Kenyon in Los Angeles, California. Together they raised three children, Kim, Steve and Carrie. Myron was devoted to his family and adored his children and grandchildren.

Myron worked 40+ years as an insurance claims manager. After retirement as a claims manager, he worked as an insurance consultant.

Although he spent much of his life elsewhere, Myron was always drawn back to his Iowa roots. He loved to return to Iowa and spend time with family and friends.
Myron had a true passion for baseball. His love of baseball started at a very early age watching his Dad play semipro and continued throughout his life. He loved telling stories like the times working in New York and bribing a court clerk with hot pastries to get him out of the court to catch an afternoon game at Yankee Stadium, or having the chance to attend in person the only perfect game thrown in World Series history. In adulthood, he showed his pride watching and coaching his only son in Little League, watching Kim play softball and more recently watching his grandchildren take up his beloved baseball. He lived the dream of playing with the retired Oakland A's players at their Fantasy Camp on 3 occasions.

He was a member of 4-H during his school years in Iowa, and later was a member of the Optimists Club, the American Legion and the Elks Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Dorothy Menefee, and four siblings in infancy.

Myron is survived by his wife, Nancy of Concord, California; his children, Kim (Chris) Jones of Discovery Bay, California, Steve (Tracy) Menefee of Green Township, New Jersey, and Carrie Menefee of Concord, California; his grandchildren, Haden and Kailey Jones of Discovery Bay, California, and Joshua Sarinske of Concord, California; his uncle, John (Ella) Menefee of Panora, Iowa; his aunt, Marian McKnight of Aurora, Colorado; cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 16, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church in Adair, Iowa, with visitation one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in the Sunnyhill Cemetery in Adair, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the Adair American Legion, the Nodaway Valley Softball and Baseball program or the American Diabetes Association.

Hockenberry Funeral Home in Adair, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.