Donald Bob Merritt, 83 of Pattonville, died on April 29th, 2019 at home after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Bob was born December 6th, 1935 to Carlie and Ellie Merritt Herrin, but was adopted and raised by maternal grandparents Jesse and Ida Farmer Merritt. Uncle and aunt, Robert and Sue Merritt continued to raise him after the death of his grandparents. He was raised in Pattonville and graduated from East Lamar High School in 1954. He married Patsy Ruth Jaynes on May 29th, 1959, building just short of 60 years of family. Their only child, Marty Don Merritt was born on April 28th, 1961 and preceded him in death. Though he only had one child, Bob gained many children through the years from nieces and nephews, to grandchildren, and especially his great-grandchildren. Donald Bob was a dedicated worker, he served active duty for the Texas National Guard; worked at Westinghouse; operated a hay cutting and baling business with his brother; raised cows; and managed Larue Ford Tractor for 40 years; when he “retired” he worked for Lamar County Water Supply and delivered newspapers for The Paris News. He was a deacon at FBC Deport and loved attending up until he could no longer leave his house.
Bob was preceded in death by son and daughter-in-law, Marty and Tawana Martin Merritt; parents; grandparents; brother Rufus Merritt; half-brother J.D. Crawford, half-sisters Ida Nell, Sandra, and Doris Crawford; many aunts, uncles, and sisters and brothers-in-law; and mother-in-law Achsa Jaynes.
Surviving family is wife Patsy Merritt; grandchildren Matthew Merritt and wife Brittany, and Meagan Merritt and spouse Irvin Hickson; great-grandchildren (his favorites) Ashtyn and Micah Merritt, and Jazmine Hickson; sisters-in-law Susie Evans and Glynda Woodall; brother-in-law Glenn Evans; half-brothers Charlie and Bobby Crawford; special cousins Elizabeth Sue Whitley and Kathy Sanders; and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Susie and Glenn Evans, Glynda Woodall, and Sheena with Heart to Heart Hospice for care provided, and FBC Deport members for food and visitation.
Donald Bob will be cremated under the direction of Fry and Gibbs, per his wishes, but there will be a family night/memorial Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 at First Baptist Church ,Deport from 5pm to 7pm, as he wished no formal services be held.
Papa has always been everyone’s rock, showing unwavering and unconditional love to his family and we will carry his lessons of love and kindness with us for all of our days. He was, simply put, an amazing and loving man, and he will be deeply missed and forever looked up to.
