Carl Leon Myrick, 88, formerly of Syracuse and Lake Wawasee, passed away May 2 at IU Health Goshen Hospital.

Carl was born in Fairmount, Illinois, May 11, 1927 to Ica (Byrd) and Lester Myrick. After serving in the United States Army, Carl came to Syracuse, the home of several of his Byrd relatives. He was a lifelong employee of the Dana Corporation (formerly Weatherhead). In fact, during the early 1950s, he helped build the Syracuse plant.

A dedicated public servant, Carl served on the Syracuse Fire Department from 1958 to 1975 as a volunteer firefighter. He held the office of assistant chief. When a fire call came in over the receiver at home, Carl would run to the fire station, just one block away. He was often one of the first to arrive. Honored at being able to help people, he was devastated at the loss of life which he sometimes witnessed up close.

After retiring from the fire department, he served as the liaison between the town and the department and was instrumental in establishing a second fire station for the Turkey Creek Fire Territory at the south end of Lake Wawasee. Carl also served as the liaison officer for the Syracuse Police Department.

Carl was elected to the Syracuse Town Board for several terms during which he served some years as president. During his tenure, he headed the building of a new town hall and the construction of the new sewage plant.

Carl was a member of the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge.

In 1962, Carl married Susan Kroh Coy, who survives. He is also survived by two stepdaughters: Amy Coy (Ryan) Matherly of Elkhart and Sarah Ann Coy of Rock Hill, South Carolina; and a daughter, Cynthia Myrick (Dov) Rosenberg of Longwood, Florida.

Carl's great delight were his grandchildren, Ben (Gina) Matherly and Kelly Matherly (Greg) Shewmaker, both of Fishers, Andrew Rosenberg of Tallahassee, Florida, and Molly Margaret Rosenberg of Longwood, Florida. Also, he had a special place in his heart for his great-grandchildren, Gia and Graham Matherly and Eulah and Finley Shewmaker. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Myrick Biggerstaff and his brother, Gayle Myrick.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Dorothy Dausman and Doris Harmon; and brother, Bill Myrick.

He was proud of his girls, proud of his town and especially proud of the Syracuse Fire Department. Carl always gave his best and taught us to do the same.

A graveside military service will take place Saturday, May 7 at 1 p.m. at Syracuse Cemetery.

Family and friends are asked to join a procession which will begin at Eastlund Funeral Home, 7458 E. 100 North, Syracuse, at 12:30 p.m.. Following the service, the family will host a reception at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive, Syracuse.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Carl Myrick Memorial Fund in care of the Syracuse Fire Department.