Karl Wilhelm Myers

Karl Wilhelm Myers, of Cleveland, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Ashton Senior Living, Gainesville, Georgia.

The oldest of three siblings, Karl was born in Fort Meade, Maryland on July 28, 1950, to Curtis and Elfriede Myers. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruth Scott; father-in-law, Franklin Mason; and brothers-in-law, Jerry Scott and David Oliver. Karl is survived by his wife of 53 years, Virginia “Jenny” Myers and his two loving sons, Joshua and Jesse Myers. He also leaves behind his sister, Karen Myers; Mother-in-law, Colleene Mason; sisters-in-law, Sherry Oliver, Lee Wood and husband Mike, and Eleanor Spruill and husband George; brothers-in-law, Frank Mason and wife Linda and Alex Mason and wife Beth; daughters-in-law, Kristin Ray, Capri Moulder Myers, and Leslie Myers; grandsons, Oliver and Henry Myers, Elijah Howard, Jackson and Henry Ray, Micah, Lawson, and Myles Moulder, and Jackson Hollis; and many nieces and nephews.

Karl grew up in Hinesville, Georgia, where he met his future bride, Jenny. He was a 1968 graduate of Bradwell Institute then began his journey to engineering as a Georgia Tech RAT. Karl and Jenny married in 1971 and moved into Tech’s married student housing where they made many fun memories. Karl was a Co-op student working his way through college and earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree with high honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology in1974. While continuing his education, Karl also worked two paper routes, delivering the AJC out of his souped-up VW Beetle. He earned his Master of Civil Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1980. One of his first career assignments was helping to oversee construction of the Peachtree Center MARTA station, 120 feet below ground.

Karl and Jenny moved to Marietta in 1976 and welcomed their first son in 1978. A man with a plan, Karl and Jenny bought their property in Cleveland in 1984 and began work on their dream cabin. They welcomed their second son in 1986. Karl balanced his career, parenthood, running marathons, volunteering to maintain the Appalachian Trail, and building a home in another city! The Myers family moved to Cleveland in 1987 where Karl was an active member of his church and community.

A well-known name in the engineering industry, Karl was a Professional Civil Engineer in Georgia for 37 years. After the failure of the Kelly Barnes Dam near Toccoa, Georgia, Karl made the decision to become a dam engineer, helping the state develop guidelines for dam safety and becoming Georgia’s first Engineer of Record in the area of geotechnical engineering. Karl was passionate about supporting the Association of State Dam Safety Officials in their mission to make dams safe and was notorious for driving across country numerous times to attend their National Dam Safety Conferences. Possibly his favorite assignment was helping with dams in beautiful Montana, of course always driving up for site visits instead of flying. Karl retired from his career in 2017.

Karl loved his family and demonstrated his love through acts of service. He was a tinkerer and fixer of things. He loved the outdoors. He was a wonderful caretaker of his and Jenny’s property. He loved his grandsons and taught them how to ride a four-wheeler and how to split firewood. He lived on sweet tea and appreciated good food, often arranging his schedule around finding a great meal. He was a self-described nerd; he built or refurbished many computers to give away. He loved hockey, had season tickets for years, and recorded games to make sure he never missed one. He opened his arms, heart, and home to many and will be missed.

Jenny will receive family and friends for a visitation from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at CeNita Venue, 659 Dock Dorsey Road, Cleveland, Georgia 30528.

Because Karl wasn’t one for pomp and circumstance, no formal funeral service is being planned, instead, he will be honored by his family and close friends with an outdoor Celebration of Life and bonfire to be held at a later date.

Karl’s family is thankful for the hospice care and compassion provided by Ennoble Care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to World Vision, an organization Karl felt strongly about. https://mycause.worldvision.org/campaign/In-loving-memory-of-Karl-Myers

To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland | (706) 865-3101