Obituary for PA Myers
Obituary
PA Myers age 88 of Maryville, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026. He was a great-great grandson of John Oliver (the first permanent white settler in Cades Cove). His mother was attended by mid-wife Polly Harmon and probably his aunt Viola Myers who lived nearby.
As a young child he stated he remembered Hattie Myers (Ekaneetlee Lodge Cades Cove) driving her guest, Mrs. Elenor Roosevelt, by his house in a wagon. He was especially proud that Mrs. Roosevelt “hollered” for him to come to the wagon and talk to her.
He attended the Becky Cable School in Cades Cove and when it closed in 1944 he attended and graduated from Townsend High School. Following high school he joined the US Air Force attending basic training in Texas. Upon completion of his training he was stationed in Seattle. He remarked it was cold and the barracks were heated by wood stoves. His barrack mates stated for a county boy he was a “right good fire starter.” He was always up early and had the stove going before they were out of bed.
While in the Air Force, stationed in Washington he met and married Darlene Vickery and his two children, Randy and Robin, were born. After leaving the Air Force he remained in Washington and worked for Boeing Aircraft.
PA and family moved back to Cades Cove in 1963 with PA managing the Bruce McCampbell lease in the Cove briefly.
When the National Park Service took the land in Cades Cove under emanate domain his father used some of the proceeds to purchase a farm in Walland. In the late 60’s PA was hired by the Aluminum Company of America and the family moved to this farm in Walland were he raised his family. He was a long-standing member of the IBEW 270 & 760.
Throughout his life he watched Cades Cove evolve from a true farm community with row crops, cattle and hay, and eventually to only hay and visitors, and then just visitors. He so enjoyed returning often to Cades Cove just to drive around the loop and sit and enjoy the view at many of the old home sites which held special memories for him. He was proud that he grew up in the most visited destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove.
Preceded in death by: His wife Darlene and son, Randy. Parents, Charlie and Mae Shuler Myers; Sister, Hazel Myers Beaty; and Louise Myers Woodruff. Brothers, Ray (died as an infant), Charles and wife Lillian Ledbetter Myers, and Hugh and Wife Verna Burchfield Myers.
He is survived by daughter Robin and husband Bob Johnson, grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
A private ceremony will be conducted. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cades Cove Preservation Association.
