(ABP) -- Philanthropist Paul Meyer died Oct. 25 in Waco, Texas. He was 81. A leading entrepreneur, Meyer was a major supporter of Baylor University and a number of other charitable institutions and causes.

Meyer

“Paul Meyer’s life not only impacted every person he came into contact with but, through his uncompromising generosity, his legacy will continue to touch the lives of countless Baylor students and faculty,” said David Garland, Baylor’s interim president and dean of the university’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. “Baylor has lost both a pioneer and a loyal friend.”

Born in San Mateo, Calif., to German immigrant parents, Meyer became interested at an early age in the principles of personal development and professional excellence. By age 27 he had become a noted and successful businessman. A Central Texas civic leader, Meyer began his career in insurance sales before becoming a sales executive for Word Inc., a Waco-based distributor of religious books and music.

Meyer received Baylor’s W.R. White Meritorious Service Award in 1988 and the Herbert H. Reynolds Service Award in 1996. The school also presented him with its highest honor for a non-alumnus -- Baylor’s Alumnus Honoris Causa designation. He and his wife, Jane, were recognized as members of the Baylor University Medallion Fellowship, first with the James Huckins Medallion in 1987, both the Pat Neff and Presidents Medallions in 1988, then were inducted into the Judge R.E.B. Baylor Society of the Fellowship in 1993.

The Meyers gave to support and endow several scholarships and faculty positions. In 1988, the Meyers played what a Baylor press release called “a tremendous role in providing quality facilities for Baylor’s student-athletes” by donating the lead gift for the school’s basketball arena.

He founded the Success Motivation Institute and Leadership Management Inc., both designed to help people develop management skills. Together with his wife, Meyer supported more than 30 charities across the United States and around the world. They were also instrumental in founding five charitable foundations to promote education and serve youth, including Passport to Success, which provides post-secondary education to economically disadvantaged youth, and the Paul and Jane Meyer Family Foundation.

His funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 30, in the arena named for him in Baylor’s Ferrell Special Events Center. A visitation reception will be held immediately after the service in the center’s Stone Reception Room.

He is survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters and 15 grandchildren.

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