Emerson Ouray Meyers

Emerson Ouray Meyers was born at dawn in Taos, NM in 1938 to Ralph Waldo Emerson Meyers and Rowena Meyers. Ouray passed away on January 7, 2016 at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque after a brief illness. Known to the Taos Pueblo Indians as ‘Toshanie’ (boy of the dawn), Ouray’s father named him after Chief Ouray of the Umcompadre Utes. Ouray graduated from Taos High and joined the Air Force where he served for six years. He then attended The University of New Mexico and Arizona State where he received a degree in education. He returned home to Taos and taught fifth grade. After a few years of teaching, Ouray started painting full-time. Ouray’s first gallery was the Moonfire Gallery in Cabot Plaza. He currently owned and operated Spirit Runner Gallery and Ouray’s Fine Arts in Taos. Over the years, Ouray worked for many arts organizations as curator and in other capacities in the community of Taos. He served as president of Taos Fall Arts Association. He was also president of Child Rite, an adoption organization. He was president of the Taos Chamber of Commerce. As an artist, he won many awards including ‘Best of Show’ for Russian Nights at the Taos Art Museum, ‘Best of Show’ for Taos Invites Taos Fall Arts and the first Blumenschein Art Award. In 2005, he was presented with’ The Lifetime Achievement Award’ by The Taos Fall Arts Association. He was the 2015 Fiestas de Taos Historical Parade Honoree and Grand Marshall. Ouray’s work has been collected in the United States, in Europe, and in Asia. Ouray often said that one of his greatest joys was using his art to benefit Taos. Ouray is survived by his wife of 30 years, Marty Gates-Meyers, his children David Meyers and wife Aija of Prague, Czech Republic; Ralph Meyers and Robert Meyers, both of Taos; Kathy Moritzky and husband, Todd, of Colorado Springs; DJ Miner and wife, Karen, of Elkton, Missouri; Dan Gates and wife Kathy of Albuquerque; and his first wife, Roberta Courtney Meyers of Taos. Ouray has eight grandchildren: Madara Meyers and Laima Meyers of Prague; Nathanael Hedin of Denver; Elisha Hedin of Cripple Creek, CO; Rebekah Dixon of Ruidoso, NM; Aidan Gates and Maddie Gates of Albuquerque; and Brenda Laub of Stockton, Missouri. He also has two great grand children: Paisley Hedin and Merlin Laub. In addition to his parents and step-father Paul Martinez, Ouray was preceded in death by his brother Cinco Martinez and his sister Nina Castillo. A memorial service was held at First Presbyterian Church in Taos on January 23, 2016. With a reception following at the Spirit Runner Gallery, 303 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Heart Hospital of New Mexico in Albuquerque or Stray Hearts Animal Shelter in Taos.Arrangements by Rivera Family Home. This obituary is protected by copyright laws, unauthorized use or duplication is prohibited.