Roll Call Tribute

John C. Niemeyer 

June 27, 1934 - June 3, 2025 

John C. Niemeyer was born in La Grange, Texas, June 27th, 1934, and passed away from this life on June 3, 2025. To all who knew him, John exemplified relentless determination, thoughtful ambition, and an incredible work ethic. He was fond of saying, “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” Growing up in La Grange, he had many jobs before and after school, on weekends and during summers. He developed his appreciation of agriculture as he picked cotton, harvested corn, and baled hay. John also pumped gas at local service stations, and frequently directed motorists to the “Chicken Ranch.” He candied eggs at a hatchery, washed dishes at a popular restaurant, and delivered Blue Bell ice cream to numerous stores in the surrounding area. He served as a lifeguard, and even set pins in the evenings at the bowling alley. At Farmers Lumber Company, he excelled at doing whatever was necessary, earning a partial scholarship to Texas A&M University.

Upon enrolling at Texas A&M in 1954 as a cadet, he worked his way through school in the mess hall, with a morning paper route, and as an active member of the US Army Reserves. Summers were spent at ROTC and Army Reserve camps. He graduated with military distinction in 1957 and received a regular commission in the US Army. He then served his country for two years and was promoted to the rank of Captain.

During his senior year at Texas A&M, he was recruited by Western Union to begin work following graduation as a corporate officer trainee in Oklahoma City. During training in Oklahoma City, he met Ruth Ann Harris, daughter of then Oklahoma County District Attorney Curtis P. Harris. He and Ruth Ann married in 1958.

After his military service, he attended Southern Methodist University Law School on a partial scholarship. He worked part time while attending classes full time, graduating in 1962. The same year he passed bar exams in both Texas and Oklahoma, returned to Oklahoma City to practice law with a large law firm, and made partner shortly thereafter. He became an enterprising and brilliant advocate for his clients. In 1984, John formed his own law firm where he practiced civil trial law until his retirement. As lead counsel, he successfully tried major jury trials throughout the country. In addition to his licenses to practice in Oklahoma and Texas, he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the 8th and 10th Circuit Courts of Appeal, and Federal District Courts in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Kansas and Colorado.

John also had several outside interests, including annual fishing trips with his brothers and friends, running cattle on his ranch, property development, and gardening. He nurtured numerous fruit trees and cultivated a large beautiful garden every summer brimming with colorful zinnias and marigolds. His green thumb kept his family and friends supplied with apples and peaches, wonderful tomatoes, strawberries, squash, onions and a variety of other vegetables. He also had a knack for picking the winning ponies at Remington Park and enjoyed Las Vegas on occasion.

Although John lived the majority of his life in Oklahoma, Texas never left his heart. He built a tranquil retreat on the river outside of his home town of La Grange. And a painting of a magnificent bluebonnet field, the Texas state flower, always hung in his Oklahoma City office.

John created a lovely life for himself and his family, who he supported without fail. Ruth Ann, his wife of 40 years, passed away in 1998. He is survived by their three children, daughter Julie Niemeyer Neuens and son-in-law Chad Neuens of Tulsa, Oklahoma, son Clayton Niemeyer of Edmond, Oklahoma, and son Kirk Niemeyer of Jones, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Harris Neuens of Dallas, Texas, and Cate Julia Neuens of Nashville, Tennessee; his friend and companion Elizabeth Dailey of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and brothers Melvin Niemeyer of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Herbert Niemeyer, of Schulenburg, Texas.

IN THE CARE OF
Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors