Sucks, man. This thing is happening all too often. My thoughts go out to you as well as his friends and Family.
I just thought of another Jeff Myers story... I think it was 1998 or so... and Dennis McPhail was giving me my first and only tattoo... In fact, I think it was McPhail's first as well. I remember him practicing on a grapefruit before moving on to my arm. (For the record, he's now one of the best tattoo artists in the world) And we were doing this in the office of Mitch's body shop (and sometimes night club) in Wichita. I was so nervous that I was shaking. I mean, I was surrounded by all of these older guys that I looked up to and desperately wanted to impress. Guys like McPhail, Mitch, Wild Bill, and Jeff... But I couldn't stop the shaking and they couldn't stop laughing at me. About half way through the tattoo, a cross dressing prostitute walked into the office and asked if a bathroom was available. The complexity of the scene and the situation was about all I could take and just as I was about to give up the ghost and pass out, Jeff tapped me on my knee with his fist and said, "You're alright. Just hang in there." His compassion for my dumb ass was incredibly touching. I didn't know him all that well at the time, but decided right then and there that we were gonna be pals. And we were. Jeff was easy.
I had the privilege of attending a chop class at his shop in Arkansas City, KS back in 2019. What a class act Jeff was. He was a helluva guy and a great customizer. He taught a "side" course on frenching some antennas on the car we were working on. I visited with him at "Lead Aint Dead" a couple of months ago and I am so glad that I did. He was in good spirits and as always, was very engaging. Jeff, thank you for the influence you had on my life and the things you taught me in the short time we were acquainted. God Speed!
I met Jeff at Salina at the KKOA Lead Sled Spectacular. He and Sancho were connected at the hip. Sancho introduced us. I was a little hesitant to talk with him, since I was new to the customs scene. He always had a crowd around him. He spent an hour with myself and my wife just chatting about interiors etc. He made me feel like I was free to ask any questions. A lot of guys aren't approachable and have sort of a rock star attitude. Not so with Jeff Myers. He will be missed by many.
Sadly, I just learned of his passing this morning. Although I only talked with him a few times, at both the "Stray Kat 500" & "Lead Ain't Dead" shows, he seemed like a very welcoming person and was always willing to talk customs. I know that he will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers to his family and many friends... R.i.p. Jeff
Oh man, I don't believe it! I had heard he was ill, but it sounded like he was doing well. I will miss watching him work at the Spectacular every year and seeing the neat customs he produced. Not the kind of news to start the day. We lost a good dude. My deepest condolences to Jeff's family and friends. He will be missed. Vaya con Dios Amigo. E
I saw Weesner posted this on IG. Hit me hard. His cars are instantly recognizable as a 'Jeff Myers' car. Clean, classy, subtle with just the right amount of 'hit' from a sledgehammer. I, too firmly belive that todays younger hot rodders and kustom kar guys will always look up to him as we have. RIP
So sorry to hear Jeff has passed away, he was a master of his craft and I know a huge loss for his many friends & family. Much like the work of the old masters still hangs in museums Jeff's work will continue to be on display for many years to come, unlike the art work hanging on the walls his craftsmanship will be cruising the streets. HRP
Man, this sucks. I loved his work. I remember a conversation we had at the HAMB Drags in 05? He was kicking back in the hotel parking lot.
Wow so sorry to hear this. I've oogled over several of his cars over the years not knowing who they belonged to. I was especially enthralled with his blue "56 chevy. I took shots of it in that same spot at Jo's on SoCo. Condolences to all those that knew him. Sounds like he was a great guy.
Always a story behind the picture. I had the Blessing to be able to cruise to a show with Jeff, Danny Cuellar and Voodoo Jim. The four of us had a blast driving our kustoms all over backroads of Kansas. With in a few miles of the car show Jeff's fan broke apart on his Caddy and damaged the radiator. So the four of us were stuck along side the road waiting on a tow truck. We got out the chairs, ice chest and we had a great time talking about road trips along side a road in Kansas. Jeff taught me many lessons. One of them was you make your own fun. If you ae broke down along side the road, make the best of it. You have a choice..... Thanks Ryan for starting the Thread.
First met Jeff in person 20+ years ago when when he drove down from Kansas to buy a couple 324 Olds motors I had. Hell of a guy, always had time to visit at shows, bought and traded a few parts with him over the years. I agree, his name will be remembered as one of the legends. A very likable and approachable guy. Sent from my SM-A516U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Remembered doing some browsing and reading this several months ago....great thread on Jeff by @straykatkustoms. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/jeff-myers-aka-kkoa-hall-of-famer.985136/
Only met him once. He was checking out my in-progress-and-still-kinda-ugly Chrysler in a field of badass cars. After about five minutes of questions, he stopped talking and kinda scanned it one more time, then gave me a smile, a nod and a thumbs up. It's weird, but that left an impression on me. RIP Jeff Myers
I also met him at the Spectacular, at the Hall of Famer's dinner. What a great guy. And super talented, too, as his cars attest. RIP, Jeff.
Sad news for sure when I heard it last night from 3 different friends. Jeff was a great guy and full of talent. One of the last times I was around him was when he was pouring water on the ground around Dr. Dave’s hammerhead shark he had just painted so it wouldn’t dry up. He was quite the ambassador in the kustom world and will be missed greatly. Praying for his family and close friends.
Jeff was one of a kind. I too met him through Dennis McPhail, as they criss crossed the country going to shows. He couldn't have been nicer, more generous and genuine. Any time I would run into him, it was a good day. The Round Up, GNRS, Ventura, Paso Robles, Santa Maria and everywhere in between, always in a kustom showing off the Wichita Style. I'm extremely thankful to have called him a friend ... but damn am I going to miss him. Deepest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones and Beatnik brethren. A big loss for sure.
That lead photo of Jeff on the road beside the Caddy is the perfect Jeff picture. As Mick said, always a story behind the pic.....and Jeff always had a story. Best story teller I've ever met. He always made it easy for guys like myself who are socially awkward and conversation doesn't come easy....just made us feel part of the group like we'd been best friends forever. I'm forever grateful for my time with him, the stories he shared, the sidesplitting laughter, the things he taught and the inspiration. Prayers and condolences to his family and friends....my heart is full for you guys today.
I just can’t believe he’s gone. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Such a huge loss to the car world. Here’s a wagon Jeff painted for me a few years back. I just dropped it off, we had a short conversation about color and I left the rest up to him. He just got it, that old school custom thing that’s so rare. God Speed Jeff, you’ll be missed. Gary
The Jalopy Journal
