John Zarney Myers passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family on Monday, September 21, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 30, 2026, at First Lutheran Church (327 S. Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls), with lunch to follow. John will be laid to rest at Mount Pleasant Cemetery (2001 E. 12th St., Sioux Falls).

John Zarney Myers was born on March 18, 1932, to Jeremiah Glordy Myers and Elizabeth Yaih Myers, at the Assembly of God Mission in Gedeglor Town, Konobo Sub-District, Konobo Chiefdom, Eastern Province, which is now known as Grand Gedeh County.

At age four, John began attending school at the Konobo Mission under the instruction of Miss L. A. Pears, a Canadian missionary. In 1939, Miss L. A. Pears hired Teacher Salis P. Rue from the Putu Mission to oversee the operations of the Gedeglor Mission School.

In 1945, Missionary Rev. K. K. Stevenson took John from the Konobo Mission to Tchien Mission School. After John completed Royal Reader Grade 4, Rev. K. K. Stevenson decided that it was time for John to advance his education. Again, John’s mentor, Rev. K. K. Stevenson, took him to Harper City, Cape Palmas, Maryland County, to attend the Bethlehem Mission.

John enrolled at St. Mark Perry Day School and graduated from the Seminary School in the 10th grade in 1947. After graduating from the Seminary School, John enrolled at Cape Palmas High School. He studied there and successfully earned his high school diploma in 1950. John graduated from high school at the age of 20. After his graduation, he returned to the Konobo Mission to visit his parents.

On January 2, 1952, John was hired by the Assistant District Commissioner, Hon. F. W. N. Bryant, who was responsible for overseeing the operations of the Konobo Sub-District and Tchien District, known as the Eastern Province. John’s job title was Sectional Clerk, also known as Clan Chief’s Clerk. John received his first assignment in Gbardru Clan, Konobo Chiefdom, under the supervision of Grear Tarly. From January 2 through May 30, 1953, Assistant District Commissioner Hon. F. W. N. Bryant transferred John to the Iwarbo Clan, Gllio Chiefdom, where he continued to perform his duties under Chief Bosso Tarwo as Clan Chief’s Clerk.

On June 2, 1953, he was transferred from Twarbo, Gllio Chiefdom, to Lower Gbilibo Clan, Konobo Chiefdom, where he demonstrated his skills under Sub-Clan Chief Tailey Jalayu of Glay Town, the Sub-Clan Headquarters. At this time, the District Commissioner, Hon. Hezekiah D. Monger of Tchien District, Eastern Province, initiated a civil examination for all Tribal Clerks in the District. John took the examination and successfully passed the First-Class Clerical Examination. He was immediately promoted by the District Commissioner to the position of Headquarters Chiefdom Clerk and was assigned to work under the administration of Paramount Chief Hon. Gbalah Barwu of Konobo Chiefdom. He served in this capacity from August 13, 1954, through January 31, 1955.

From February 15, 1955, through December 6, 1958, he was promoted to the position of District Auditor by Assistant District Commissioner Hon. George A. Shuman. On May 1, 1959, John was employed by the Department of Agriculture as a Forest Guard for the Grebo National Forest under the supervision of Anthony T. Sayeh, Chief of the Bureau of Forest Conservation and Wildlife Resources. John worked in this department from July 1, 1962, through May 2, 1963. He resigned and sought an opportunity for career advancement with Martha Tubman Memorial Hospital in Zwedru, Tchien District, Eastern Province.

From July 1, 1962, through May 2, 1963, John diligently worked for the hospital as an Admitting Clerk. On June 27, 1963, the Secretary of the Department of Interior, Hon. Allen H. William, appointed John to the position of District Clerk for the Konobo Sub-District and Tchien District of the Eastern Province, with a monthly salary of $32.00.

On June 27, 1967, the Superintendent of Grand Gedeh County, Hon. Moses P. Harris, promoted him to the position of full District Clerk, with a monthly salary of $41.00, and transferred him to Webbo District, where he assumed full responsibility for his new assignment. On January 1, 1969, he was promoted to the position of District Commissioner by Moses P. Harris, Superintendent of Grand Gedeh County, and assigned to Konobo District.

On February 1, 1969, Senator David Towah overrode the County Superintendent Moses P. Harris’s decision based on routine procedure and had him demoted to the position of Assistant District Commissioner for Gboe-Ploe Sub-District, Gbarzon District. In accordance with the Amalgamation Programs established by the County leaders, Superintendent Albert T. White appointed him as County Accountant to oversee County Development Funds. He served in this capacity from March 2, 1973, through 1974.

As a man of integrity, dependability, and dedication, Superintendent White recognized his remarkable qualities and, with sound judgment and authority, appointed him to the position of Local Public Works Agent. From March 24, 1973, to 1974, he served in this capacity and oversaw all government properties in the county. The successor to Albert T. White, Hon. John P. Beh, Superintendent of Grand Gedeh County, appointed him as Relieving County Commissioner. He served in this capacity from February 9, 1979, through April 12, 1980. The People’s Redemption Council (PRC) Superintendent, 2nd Lt. Washington W. Garley, took over the county by directive of the Head of State, Master Sergeant Samuel Kanyon Doe. He appointed John Z. Myers as County Commissioner and assigned him to Gbeapo District, where he served from June 11, 1980, through May 4, 1983.

On May 4, 1984, Superintendent Garley transferred him from Gbeapo District to Tchien District. While serving as Tchien District Commissioner, he was promoted to the position of Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent. As a man of humanitarian principles, Commissioner Myers’ performance was recognized as exceptional by the people of Gbeapo District. Therefore, they sent a petition to the Head of State, Samuel Kanyon Doe, requesting that he reassign Commissioner Hon. John Z. Myers to Gbeapo District. In compliance with the petition of the people of Gbeapo District, the Head of State approved the citizens’ petition, effective May 4, 1984. Commissioner Myers was reassigned to Gbeapo District, where he served from May 4, 1984, through February 1, 1986.

After serving in Gbeapo District, he was transferred to Konobo District on February 1, 1986. He remained there until the outbreak of the civil war in Liberia. On September 14, 1990, he took his wife and children to safety in the Ivory Coast. While he was in the Ivory Coast, on November 27, 1997, President Taylor appointed him as County Attorney for Grand Gedeh County. When he heard the national broadcast announcing his appointment, he left the Peace Town Refugee Camp and returned to Liberia on January 4, 1998. Due to the unstable security situation in Monrovia, he resigned and returned to the Peace Town Refugee Camp in the Ivory Coast.

On June 27, 1998, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) appointed him as a Land Commissioner. He served in this capacity from June 27, 1998, through December 2, 2003. He also served as a Deacon at the Peace Town Assembly of God Church. Among the refugees registered with the UNHCR, his name was placed first on the bulletin board for resettlement to the United States with his family.

John Z. Myers and his family departed for the United States on December 9, 2003, and arrived in Atlanta on December 10, 2003. On December 11, 2003, he and his family continued to their final destination in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On June 27, 2006, he was employed by Experience Works, Inc., and assigned to Hope Haven Ministry International, Inc. He performed his duties there from June 27, 2006, to February 28, 2009. He relinquished his position due to declining health.

COMMENT — HIS FINAL WISH

“To the Myers and Zarleo families:

Henceforth, remember that I served the Government of the Republic of Liberia from 1952 to 1990, a total of 38 years. For the most part, I was assigned to Konobo District as County District Commissioner, where I resided before the Liberian Civil War began.

In the event that the Almighty God ends my time here on Earth and takes me to rest in eternity, whether here in America or in Africa, I want my remains to be laid to rest at the Civil Compound in Ziah Town Headquarters, where I administered the affairs of the District before the Civil War.

Nevertheless, to avoid unnecessary expenses in the future, my body should be laid to rest wherever I give up my spirit as I move on to rest with the Almighty God in eternity.

May the Almighty God continue to bless the entire family. May His Word remain with you always, until the end.