Vernon Jerome "Tuff" Meyer, 88, of Sturgis, SD, died Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at Monument Health Sturgis Hospital.

Tuff was born December 25, 1934, in Sturgis, SD, to Frank and Hattie (Mailloux). He grew up and went to school in Sturgis, Upton, WY, and Golden, CO. He joined the US Air Force and served as an airplane mechanic, traveling worldwide for 9 years.

In 1962 Tuff and older brother Jim ran Meyer Brothers Auto Repair Shop in Sturgis. Later he worked at a gas station with Guy Edwards, and Chuck Fowlkes, Homestake Gold Mine, and Wheeler Post and Pole. In 1971, he went to work for the US Forest Service, in the Hill City mechanic shop until 1990, when he took early retirement. During this time, he purchased a home in Hill City with his mother, Hattie, which they shared. After his retirement he returned to the home place in Sturgis. He built a big shop and his brother, Bill (Clifford) and friends added an apartment.

On May 15, 2004, he married Bonnie Blakeley Morgan and they continued to live in Boulder Canyon. With this union he inherited 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and their spouses, as well as 6 great grandchildren who adored their Papa Tuff and he called them his own.

He enjoyed owning and flying a plane and riding motorcycles with brother, Jim and Marlys. They built a log cabin near Deadwood and enjoyed cards, hunting, and family. Tuff and Bonnie enjoyed several winters as "snowbirds" in Quartzite, AZ. Family and friends helped remodel Uncle Paul's house, and Tuff and Bonnie moved in August 2012.

In retirement the family laughed and said Tuff became a professional auction patron, going to "Ralph's" with Russ Rigsby and friends. He also spent many summers at The Buckhorn Place in Wyoming, enjoying extended family and friends for food, fun, and laughter.

He lived a long busy life, more generous and kinder than most and he always enjoyed having a laugh. During his later years, food was utmost in his mind, and he was delighted with Russ's chocolate covered doughnuts, Frankie Lee's famous pie, or Jim's lasagna.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Bonnie; 3 children, Angela Winters of Norfolk, VA, Shelly (Jim) Schroeder of Rapid City, SD, and Todd (Karen) Morgan of Toponas, CO; sister, Betty Griffin of Thermopolis, WY; brother, Bill and Judy of Boulder Canyon; 5 grandchildren and spouses; 6 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; extended family, and a wealth of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Hattie Meyer, brother, Jim and Marlys Meyer, and numerous other loved ones.

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