James Leroy Merrill was born October 25, 1937 in Duncan, OK. Formally of Central, LA, Jim lived the last twenty years in Lander, WY. Jim passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2013 at Help for Health Hospice Home in Riverton, WY. He was a United States Marine, Baton Rouge Shriner, and member of the BLE and Big R Club after retiring as an Engineer from the Illinois Central Railroad in Baton Rouge, LA. He also was a member of United Baptist Church in Riverton, WYO and a 'regular' at the Lander Senior Citizens Center as well as active player with his weekly card buddies. His passions were his family, deer and elk hunting, card playing, Harley Davidson motorcycle riding and emailing daily those he loved so much.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Rita Ardoin Merrill, of Lander, WY; three children, a daughter and a son-in-law, Lisa Ann Merrill Coarsey and husband Jimbo of Blairstown, LA; son and daughter-in-law, James Leroy Merrill, Jr. and wife Debbi, of Las Vegas, NV; and Donna Lynn Merrill Lee of Baton Rouge, LA; eight grandchildren, Beaux James Coarsey and Meredith of Blairstown, LA, Caleb J. and Celeste Coarsey of Zachary, LA, USAF Katie Merrill of Wichita, KA, USMC CPL Jesse Lee and USMC PFC Travis Merrill both stationed in Japan, Anthony Lee of Baton Rouge, LA, Heather and Hunter Merrill of Goodlettsville, TN, one great-granddaughter, Presley Addison Coarsey and expected great-grandson Bradlee Jameson Coarsey both of Zachary, LA . He is also survived by two aunts, two nieces, a nephew, numerous cousins and many good friends including special friend Freyja del Duca. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leslie ‘Mickey' Merrill and Hessie Martin Merrill and two brothers Earl B. Pickering and Leslie Merrill.
Our special gratitude is extended to the staff of Help for Health Hospice Home, especially Corie, Jennifer, Sandy and Samantha, in Riverton, WY; Dr. Adam Cohen (Huntsman Cancer Hospital) and finally the Medical Teams at both University and Huntsman Cancer Hospitals in Salt Lake City, UT.
Visiting at United Baptist Church, 1201 E Pershing Ave, Riverton, WY, on Thursday, March 21, 4 p.m. until the Celebration of Jim's life begins at 5. Immediately following, family will scatter and spread ashes in the desert, at sunset.
The family requests donations in lieu of flowers to be made towards the medical benefit for Jim's step-great grandson, Cody Lawrence, in PawPaw Jim Merrill’s memory. Checks should be made payable to Cody Lawrence and mailed to MERRILL, 6541 Cameron Peak Court, Las Vegas, NV 89156. Donations may also be made direct online: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/Diabetic-Alert-Dog-For-Cody/38496
Please take a minute to leave a message in the online guestbook: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimmymerrill/guestbook
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Rita Ardoin Merrill, of Lander, WY; three children, a daughter and a son-in-law, Lisa Ann Merrill Coarsey and husband Jimbo of Blairstown, LA; son and daughter-in-law, James Leroy Merrill, Jr. and wife Debbi, of Las Vegas, NV; and Donna Lynn Merrill Lee of Baton Rouge, LA; eight grandchildren, Beaux James Coarsey and Meredith of Blairstown, LA, Caleb J. and Celeste Coarsey of Zachary, LA, USAF Katie Merrill of Wichita, KA, USMC CPL Jesse Lee and USMC PFC Travis Merrill both stationed in Japan, Anthony Lee of Baton Rouge, LA, Heather and Hunter Merrill of Goodlettsville, TN, one great-granddaughter, Presley Addison Coarsey and expected great-grandson Bradlee Jameson Coarsey both of Zachary, LA . He is also survived by two aunts, two nieces, a nephew, numerous cousins and many good friends including special friend Freyja del Duca. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leslie ‘Mickey' Merrill and Hessie Martin Merrill and two brothers Earl B. Pickering and Leslie Merrill.
Our special gratitude is extended to the staff of Help for Health Hospice Home, especially Corie, Jennifer, Sandy and Samantha, in Riverton, WY; Dr. Adam Cohen (Huntsman Cancer Hospital) and finally the Medical Teams at both University and Huntsman Cancer Hospitals in Salt Lake City, UT.
Visiting at United Baptist Church, 1201 E Pershing Ave, Riverton, WY, on Thursday, March 21, 4 p.m. until the Celebration of Jim's life begins at 5. Immediately following, family will scatter and spread ashes in the desert, at sunset.
The family requests donations in lieu of flowers to be made towards the medical benefit for Jim's step-great grandson, Cody Lawrence, in PawPaw Jim Merrill’s memory. Checks should be made payable to Cody Lawrence and mailed to MERRILL, 6541 Cameron Peak Court, Las Vegas, NV 89156. Donations may also be made direct online: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/Diabetic-Alert-Dog-For-Cody/38496
Please take a minute to leave a message in the online guestbook: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimmymerrill/guestbook