Raymond Francis Meyer, Sr.

Raymond Francis Meyer, Sr. October 12, 1933 - October 18, 2009

Raymond Francis Meyer, Sr. left this playing field called earth Sunday, October 18. 2009 at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont; he was 76 years old. Raymond was the son of Whitney and Odette Trimble Meyer and was born October 12, 1933 in Port Arthur, Texas. He had been struggling with ill health for several months. A lesser man would have expired, unable to survive the onslaught of serious illnesses that Raymond endured with his ever present smile and his laughter that endeared him to the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Raymond was a gifted athlete who earned high school All American honors at Bishop Byrne High School in Port Arthur. In those days he was known as Bishop Byrne's Green Machine. Following high school graduation in 1953, Raymond played one year of varsity football as a freshman at LSU. For the next three years he earned varsity honors with Lamar Tech, now Lamar University, where he was named Little All American as a running back and punter. Following his college playing days, he was drafted by the San Francisco 4ger's. Sadly, Raymond severely injured his knee just three weeks into spring training, ending his football career. Undaunted, Raymond returned to Port Arthur and began his working years at the Gulf Refinery, where he worked as a Lab Technician. Always the competitor, Raymond pitched in Port Arthur's City Soft Ball League until he was fifty years old. It has been said that Alvin, Texas had Nolan Ryan and Port Arthur, Texas had Raymond Meyer. There is no doubt that as long as young boys play a game of neighborhood pick up football on some vacant lot and high school Friday night lights shine down on aspiring young athletes, Raymond Meyer's friendly spirit will be there. His one great passion in life besides his family was football. Raymond was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in the Museum of the Gulf Coast in 2000. The reception celebrating this event had the largest attendance of fans and supporters of any person ever inducted there Raymond is survived by his loving and supportive wife of fifty-five years, Lucy Mosca Meyer, his son, Raymond Francis Meyer Jr., daughter, Sharon Cates and son-in-law Brad Cates, three grandchildren Corey, Michael (Kimberly), And Jennifer Beenan and five great grandchildren. Raymond is also survived by his sister, Myrtle Loyacano and brother-in-law, Philip Loyacano.