David Camp Overmyer

David Camp Overmyer, 95, passed away May 07, 2025 in Topeka, Kansas at Midland Care Hospice House.

He was born July 20, 1929 in Topeka, Kansas, the son of David Hicks Overmyer, a prominent Kansas Artist, and Grace McKinley Woodward Overmyer.

David was educated in the Topeka Public Schools System and graduated from Topeka High School in 1947. He maintained a strong circle of lifelong friends from his school days, and with his work colleagues, musician friends and neighbors.

David married Margaret Eileen Krogman in 1948 and together they raised six children.

They divorced in 1980.

David’s true passion was music. He studied music and drumming in his early years and became a professional jazz drummer at age 15. He performed extensively for decades at various music venues throughout Northeast Kansas. David also loved to attend music concerts which he continued to do throughout his life. He proudly served on the Topeka Jazz Workshop Board for many years.

In their early years together, David and Margaret moved to California and lived in Hermosa Beach for some years. While in California, he worked for Howard Hughes Aircraft Company in an office as a tabulator. He said that there were just four men in that office and that two of them were from Topeka!

David stated that he very much enjoyed the live jazz music at The Lighthouse Jazz Club in Hermosa Beach, where the Lighthouse All-Stars Jazz Band played. The club also hosted visiting groups, which had among its guest musicians Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan and Miles Davis. Many other West Coast jazz stalwarts were also regulars in the early days. David enjoyed building personal relationships with many of these notable musicians.

Following an earthquake in 1952, David and Margaret moved back to Topeka, Kansas and his work history includes: The Santa Fe Railway Supply Depot, and Kansas Power and Light Company before beginning a long career with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Topeka as an Industrial Engineer and an Arbitrator. He retired in 1985.

Although David was born and raised in the city, he loved nature and the countryside. September 30, 1962, he moved his family to an 80-acre farm in western Shawnee County comprised of crop fields, pastureland, timber acreage, and a lake; where he then added his role of part-time farmer. His 1945 Farmall M Tractor still rests there.

In his late forties, David became a fabulous cook. He loved to host and entertain family, friends, neighbors, and visiting musicians.

Summer was David's favorite season and for many years a summer highlight was an annual Fourth of July picnic that he hosted. He enjoyed vegetable gardening for many decades, producing large yields that he shared with family, friends and neighbors.

David was an avid golfer and enjoyed golfing with his brother-in-law Harold Michaelis, and all of his golfing friends.

He was a former member of the United Methodist Church.

He maintained his sharp cognitive abilities and memory, lived independently and continued driving until shortly before his death.

David’s survivors include:

Two sons: Jeff (Kathy) Overmyer of Silver Lake, Kansas, and Tom Overmyer (Matt Born) of Fairview Park, Ohio.

Three daughters: Cheryl (Paton) Eliot of Overland Park, Nancy Overmyer of Lawrence, and Mary (Ben) Simecka of Olathe.

Seven grandchildren: Elizabeth Overmyer (Aaron Good), Amanda (Jason) Young, Adam (Katie) Simecka, Austin (Hannah) Simecka, Eli Simecka, Heath Overmyer, and Jenna (Jacob) Gentry.

Ten great grandchildren: Elise and Laila; Nathan and Ava; Charlee, Emilee, and Logan; Brady and Quincy; and Jimmy.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Betty Bowers, his cousins, his nieces and nephews, his many friends and neighbors, and his cat, Tux.

David was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, William Woodward Overmyer, and his son, David Joseph Overmyer.

A Remembrance Service and Celebration of Life for David’s family and friends will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025.

The gathering will begin at 2:30 p.m. with a tribute on the steps of White Concert Hall, honoring David as a proud Topeka High Trojan, and drummer. Guests will then be welcomed inside the newly constructed James Hurd Recital Hall, adjacent to White Concert Hall at Washburn University (1700 SW College Avenue, Topeka, Kansas), for musical selections prior to the Remembrance Service and Celebration of Life, which will take place from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Private inurnment will take place at the Maple Hill Cemetery, Maple Hill, Kansas.

Memorial donations suggestion:

Topeka Jazz Workshop P O Box 452 Topeka, KS 66601. In addition to their concert series, Topeka Jazz Workshop also supports youth music programming including recognizing their youngest Jazz musicians with scholarships to continue their musical development.