Friends remember Oregon teen killed in spree
Cody Myers recalled as caring, gifted
OREGON CITY, Ore. – Cody Myers loved three things: God, his family and music. In that order.
His family and friends described him Saturday as a humble, smiling devout Christian who got along with anyone he met. He was a gifted guitar player who loved sharing his talent with the world – as a performer and as a teacher.
Myers was shot and killed two weeks ago, when police say he came into contact with two white supremacists on the run from the law and in need of a car. He encountered his killers in Newport, Ore., police say, where he’d gone alone to take in a jazz festival near the Pacific Ocean.
David “Joey” Pedersen and Holly Grigsby have admitted involvement in his killing, and they remain jailed in California.
In a memorial service with 350 guests, Myers’ friends in the music school at Clackamas Community College described a talented musician with an unmatched work ethic.
“His future, folks, was going to be bright,” said Chris Garcia, a 40-year-old music student who chose Myers after an agonizing search for the perfect guitar player to join an ensemble. “He was on his way.”
Myers was 19, less than half Garcia’s age, yet the pair developed a deep friendship grounded in respect for music and for one another. Garcia admired Myers’ work ethic, his long hours spent practicing and learning.
Before he died, Myers told his family he wanted to help low-income children share his passion for music.
Committed to seeing Myers’ dream, even if he can’t, his family has established the Cody Myers Musical Outreach Foundation to help underprivileged children get access to musical instruments, supplies and training. They’re collecting donations at U.S. Bank locations.