Joseph A. Myers

Joseph A. Myers, 80, of Hanover, PA, entered God’s eternal care, Monday, September 25, 2023, at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MD, with his loving family by his side.

Born February 10, 1943, to Allen and Mary Myers.  Joseph Allen Myers was the oldest son of 10 brothers and sisters.  Raised on a farm, working the land, little Joe apparently knew then that there was more to do with land than just farming.

At age 17, Joe enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country for five years.  While in the Navy Joe was married and experienced the birth of his first child.

Once back in the civilian world, he worked in the machine shop at Borg Warner, was a postal clerk and a linesman for Metropolitan Edison.

A burning desire to be successful, to do more with his life, and to seek the American dream, Joe studied construction and real estate at night while working full time during the day.  At the same time Joe bought investment properties to rehab and re-sell.

Joe received his real estate license in 1968 and started working with Reichart Realty and later Key Real Estate.  His second child, a daughter, was born the same year. 

Joe became a Real Estate Broker in 1973 and opened his office, Joseph A. Myers Real Estate, Inc., at 121 York Street, Hanover, PA.  Eventually four more real estate offices in Hanover, Gettysburg, York, & New Oxford would follow.

Joe purchased his first subdivision located off of Oakhill Drive, in 1972 and aptly named Myermount.   J.A. Myers Building and Development was later formed and incorporated in 1975.

Through the late 70’s gas crisis and the early 80’s high interest rate economy, Joe kept his head above water through the lean time.  Always an entrepreneur, Joe owned plumbing, heating, and cabinet companies.  He also opened a commercial construction division of the company.  Today, over 80 subdivisions and more than 8,000 homes later, Joe had employed thousands of people, building his company into a successful multi-million-dollar corporation.

Joe named mostly Marty DeRose, a successful land developer, Donald B. Smith, Sr. and Finigan Wagaman, who taught him the construction business, as role models in his life.  Irvin Zacharias, who worked with him at Key Real  Estate, was also an inspirational figure.

Reflecting on his career, Joe felt he achieved more than he had ever dreamed and wished to thank everyone who has worked for him, inspired him, and believed in him along the way.

Joseph was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hanover, PA.  He belonged to the Hanover Elks, the McSherrystown Home Association, the Republican Club, the Hanover Home Association, the Eagles, the Moose, the V.F.W., the National Home Builders  Association, the PA Home Builders Association, and the Realtors Association of York and Adams Counties, and the York & Adams County Builders Association.

Joseph was an avid reader, loved golfing, playing the stock market, and spending time with friends and family.

In addition to his loving wife, Jodi, Joseph is survived by his children, Anna M. Palmer and Benjamin A. Myers and wife Laura, all of Hanover, PA; five grandchildren, Zachary, Sara, Hannah, Aaron, and Nathan; and seven siblings, John Myers, James Myers, Charles Myers, Levere Myers, William Myers, Charlotte Nace, and Margaret Kuhn.  He was preceded in death by his ex-wife, Gladys A. Myers, and three siblings, Kathryn Landis, Irene Laughman, and Francis O. Myers, Sr.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate and remember Joseph will be held 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 30, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5125 Grandview Road, Hanover, PA, with Monsignor James M. Lyons as celebrant.  Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery, Hanover, Pa with the Hanover Allied Veterans Burial Detail presenting Military Honors.  Visitations to share memories with the family will be held from 2:00-4:00PM and 6:00-8:00PM, Friday, September 29, 2023, at the Kenworthy Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 269 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA, and from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM,  Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the church.   

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: “Johns Hopkins University” and mailed with a memo indicating that this gift is in memory of: Joseph A. Myers and mailed to Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 550 North Broadway, Suite 722, Baltimore, MD 21205.

The family has entrusted the Kenworthy Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Hanover, PA with arrangements.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.kenworthyfh.com.

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