By: Payton Hudson, Contributing Writer
Feature Graphic by Payton Hudson

Hunter Zaine Meyers was born on June 19, 2006, at Springhill Memorial Hospital and passed away on January 21, 2025. He went to rest peacefully at 18 years old due to osteosarcoma, or bone cancer. A native of Mobile, he graduated from Theodore High School with the Class of 2024 and was a freshman at South Alabama. He was majoring in biomedical sciences and planned to pursue the physician assistant program, hoping to one day help kids like him.

Hunter made his life memorable and left a lasting impact on those around him. He was known for his good sense of humor and love for sports, especially baseball. He was a Texas Longhorns fan and had an impressive card collection. He also had a passion for video games, particularly “Rainbow Six Siege,” and was known to dominate at the game of pool.

Though his time at South Alabama was brief, Hunter made the most of it. Despite his circumstances, he remained in good spirits, according to his friends. He was a proud new member of the Omega Class of Phi Kappa Sigma, where his fraternity brothers spoke highly of him. Hunter spent much of his free time at the “Skull House,” and his parents shared how the brotherhood was really good for his mental health. In his honor, Phi Kapp plans to frame one of his old jerseys in their house.

“He would take off his prosthetic leg and play with it around the fraternity house,” recalled Andy Biehl, a member of Phi Kappa Sigma, highlighting Hunter’s signature humor.

In a statement, Phi Kappa Sigma described him as “a leader, a role model, and a Man of Honor.”

Efforts are already underway to ensure Hunter’s legacy lives on. A scholarship in his name is being established to support students with medical challenges, and plans are in motion for the Hunter Meyers Foundation, which will give back to hospitals and community centers in Mobile to assist cancer patients. His legacy also shines through his sister, Peyton Bozeman, a South Alabama student and member of Phi Mu. Through her new service initiative, “Dream Deliveries by Peyton,” she is committed to bringing comfort to young patients at USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital through care packages. 

“A simple visit, a cozy blanket, a good book, or a new puzzle could transform his day,” Peyton shared on Instagram when talking about Hunter. “My mission is to light up lives, one Dream Delivery at a time, because sometimes the smallest gestures leave the biggest impressions.” 

Hunter is survived by his parents, Amanda and Michael Meyers; his siblings, Dakota, Peyton, and Ryleigh; his grandparents, Diane Cloteaux (Pete) and Joseph Meyers; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.