Don Myers, prominent Indiana owner and breeder, dies at 92

Don Myers Sr., founder of prominent Indiana Thoroughbred operation Swifty Farms, died on June 25 at the age of 92.

A native of Seymour, Ind., Myers founded Swifty Oil Company in 1963, and expanded from an initial base of seven gas stations to 181 stations and convenience stores in several different states.

Myers expanded into the Thoroughbred business in 1972, founding Swifty Farms, which became a perennial leader of Indiana’s racing and breeding programs. The Seymour farm’s most successful runners include Grade 2 winner Pass Rush, who was bred by Swifty Farm and currently stands there at stud, and Grade 3 winner Pataky Kid, who is still in training.

Swifty Farms is also the home of the final foal by Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, Swifty-bred Grade 3-placed mare Maggie Slew. Her first foal was standout Indiana-bred juvenile Mack the Slew, sired by Pass Rush, who was a two-time stakes winner in 2011 for Swifty Farms.

An influential figure in shaping Indiana’s breeding industry, Myers was a member of both the national and Indiana chapters of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

Myers is survived by his wife Dana Lee, and children Jolene Endicott, Don Myers Jr., Jane Henkle, Jenny Ruth, and step-daughters Lisa Brown and Denise Lawton, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held July 29 from 2 to 8 p.m. Eastern at Voss Chapel in Seymour, and on July 30 at First Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. until the time of service. A celebration of Myers’ life will be held at First Presbyterian Church on July 30 at 2 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family through Voss Funeral Service and memorials may be written to the First Presbyterian Church of Seymour, Girls, Inc. of Seymour, or to the Don and Dana Myers Cancer Center through Voss Funeral Service.