Thomas Merritt Obituary

Thomas Buxton Merritt Jr., age 67, passed away July 7, 2014. Tim, as he was known to family and friends, was born in New Orleans, LA to Thomas B. Merritt and the late Beulah Bertel Merritt. Tim was a dedicated family man. He was committed to family, church, students, athletes, and friends. After graduation from Jesuit High School, he attended The United States Military Academy at West Point, and graduated from Tulane University. He taught in Orleans and Jefferson Parish Public Schools. Following retirement from the Information Specialist position in Instructional Support Services in Jefferson, Tim taught at Christian Brothers School. He spent 35 years teaching and coaching children across the metro area. He touched the lives of students and athletes from Karr Junior High School, Riverdale High School, Bonnabel High School, Christian Brothers, Beach Club of Metairie, and Lafreniere Park as a teacher of mathematics and as a coach of swimming, volleyball, soccer, and bowling. Tim was most proud of his family. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, daughter Meghan, son Thomas Buxton Merritt III (TB), and his granddaughter Cassidy. He is also survived by his father Thomas B. Merritt, and siblings Preston Merritt, Abigail (Abby) Brown and Mary Margaret Cazalot. He was preceded in death by his sister Eugenie (Genie) Dunn. The family thanks the doctors and staff of the Family Practice Center along with Dr. Archibald Melcher and Dr. William Sherman. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Memorial Mass on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, at 1:00 pm. Visitation will begin at 11:00am until service time. Interment will be private. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

Published by The New Orleans Advocate from Jul. 9 to Jul. 15, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
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Ms. Eleanor, Meghan, and TB,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Tim was always so incredibly sweet and welcoming to me. I will remember him fondly and I am here if you all should need anything.

Vickie Russo

August 23, 2014

Eleanor,
From all of the Thomas clan, please accept our condolences.
Chris and Greg

Christopher Thomas

July 23, 2014

Eleanor, I did not know of Tim's passing until recently. So, so sorry. He gave so much to so many. I will always remember him as a valuable colleague and a friend.

Doris Rappold

July 22, 2014

I was blessed to have him as a teacher at Bonnabel High. Looked forward to his class. He really liked us and loved talking and joking around with us. Always helped us. Blessings to your family.
Sincerely, Sherry Marshall (1982 student)

Sherry Marshall

July 16, 2014

Eleanor,
Our deepest sympathy to you and family...Just learned this afternoon of Tim's passing. Had we known earlier, we would have attended his Memorial Mass..
We are sorry to lose our good neighbor of 30+ years.
Jimmy & Eileen Haag

Jimmy & Eileen Haag

July 15, 2014

Mr. Merritt was always happy, always ready to help, to joke with us and was always tolerant of the unruly group of girls on those buses. He will be truly missed. My condolences to his family as they go through period of grief.

Patricia Welp Hicks

July 15, 2014

Tim knew technology and had the true heart of a teacher. I was glad to get to know him through LACUE.

Jerome Matherne

July 15, 2014

Dear Merritt Family, we are all deeply saddened by the loss of Tim. He was such a wonderful and positive influence in so many young people's lives from across the metro area. Tim was a great contributor in both community and church. He will be dearly missed. Love, Keith, Brenda, Sean, Ian and Emma Christie

July 15, 2014

Dearest Eleanor, the world now misses a wonderful man but heaven has gained another good one. You both exhibited tremendous compassion and instilled great confidence during my formative years for which I am forever grateful. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Love,

Linda Mathews Lawrence

July 15, 2014

Eleanor, I'm sorry I can't be with you today, but know you will be in my thoughts and prayers today. I will call you in a few days when things calm down a little for you.

With Love,
Your cousin, Sharon

July 15, 2014

So very sorry. God bless you and your family.

Cindy Blake

July 15, 2014

TB, we are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our sympathy.
Alice, C.K. and Bill Crull

alice crull

July 15, 2014

Eleanor, I'm so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers..

Terri Mathews

July 14, 2014

Eleanor, I am sorry to hear of your husband's death. I remember meeting him while you and I attended Tulane and also worked in the library.

Thomas Hofer

July 14, 2014

Little Bit I am so sad to hear of Tim's passing. Thinking of him and you bring back so many wonderful memories. I am happy I am in town to come see you both tomorrow.

Sharon Robicheaux-Lee

July 14, 2014

Eleanor and family, so sorry to hear of Tim's passing. Always remembered our talks over coffee. May the Lord keep you in his arms.

joy levin

July 13, 2014

Remembering fun times in Mr Merritt's class at Riverdale High School when it was all girls. Prayers to the family

Cindy McCoy Murray

July 13, 2014

So sorry to hear about Coach Tim. I know he has touched an uncountable number of lives including mine. We had great times on the swim team at Riverdale from '72-'76 under his coaching and great parties at his and Eleanor's home. I'll be praying for your family.

Marla Seymour Richard

July 13, 2014

I was so sad to here of Mr Merritt's passing.. I was fortunate to have him as a Math Teacher and Class adviser at Riverdale...Classof 1976.. He will be missed

bobbi harrigan

July 13, 2014

I just saw Mr. Merrit ,his wife and a friend at Tiffin Inn one morning last month. The three sat down next to me. I was alone and just couldn't help asking them if they had taught at Riverdale. Mrs. Merrit replied she was the Librarian and yes they were both at Riverdale. I hadn't seen either once since the seventies. Mr. Merrit I never had you as a teacher but I remember you well as I did your wife. Glad I got to say hello ....RIP
Becky

Becky Betancourt

July 12, 2014

My dear Eleanor and family....May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I often think of the bus trip to the swim meet in Alabama. That was many years ago.

Florence Rivette

July 12, 2014

Great teacher, coach and friend. Thanks for all Coach Tim.

John Steinkamp

July 12, 2014

Eleanor,

I am so sorry to hear of Tim's passing. I have such fond memories of being with both you and Tim through Riverdale & Beach Club. My best to you and your family.

Lisa

Lisa Millar

July 12, 2014

Eleanor, I am so sorry to hear about Tim's passing. I haven't seen you guys in years, but still have fond memories of the times we all spent together. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Louise Krause

July 11, 2014

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss and will keep your family in my prayers.

Charlene Esteves

July 11, 2014

So sorry for your loss Eleanor and family. Mr. Merritt, Tom, was a wonderful man and teacher. He helped me fall in love with Math at Riverdale High. I think of him often with love for what he gave me. God Blessed him with a talent and he shared it. Thank you Mr. Tom Merritt.

Constance (Connie) Karnowski

July 11, 2014

I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Tim's passing. Eleanor, I am so sorry for your loss. Although I haven't seen you guys for many years, I still cherish memories of our social group in high school. We had a lot of fun together. I also fondly remember working with Tim as a newspaper delivery boy... a long, long time ago. Tim was the best... we will all miss him.

David Krause

July 11, 2014

I was lucky enough to have him twice in my life. He was my computer mentor in Jefferson Parish and my son had him as a computer teacher at Christian Brothers. He was a wonderful, kind man!! Prayers are with his family!

Carolyn Steel

July 10, 2014

Elenor, TB & Meghan:
I am so saddened at the news of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time...Love and miss you,

Marilyn Meyn

July 10, 2014

Elanor,

I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful person always had a smile on his face.

Jonelle Couch

July 10, 2014

Know that the family remains in my prayers. Live Jesus in Our Hearts Forever.

Doug Moreau

July 10, 2014

Eleanor,

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Tim will be greatly missed by all who had the honor to know him. It was always a pleasure to engage in lively conversation with Tim, but I hardly ever had a chance to say something! I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Frank Cambas

July 10, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. Tim made an impact on my life. He was a great co-worker. I will always remember the good times we had at JPPSS. Tim will be missed. Keeping you and your family in my prayers. May God bless you and your family.

Catherine Deroche

July 10, 2014

Eleanor and family, I was so sorry to hear about Tim's passing. I have many fond memories of you and him and will cherish those. Please know that my prayers and thoughts are with all of you at this time.

Wayne Munsch

July 10, 2014

RIP Mr Merritt. I was a math student of Mr Merritt. He inspired me to love math because he was a great instructor and made me understand parts of math I never would have understood. I am so very sorry for your loss Mrs Merritt and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

July 10, 2014

Our family crossed paths with the Merritt family in so many places. I witnessed him as a soccer coach and as a dedicated JPPSS employee, but his biggest impact on me was his love for his family. He was a great husband, a great father, and a great grandfather . He was always at school supporting his granddaughter Cassidy. He picked her up from school in that awesome red mustang everyday while he was able. Our family was heartbroken when we heard the news. We will pray for the very LARGE Merritt family to find peace and comfort from each other and from all those who knew Tim. He will be missed.

Karen Balamane

July 10, 2014

Eleanor , I'm so sorry for your,our loss. What an awesome man! He was a wonderful,coach,teacher,friend.. I am thankful to have had him as all of those. He was always willing to help everyone. I even brought my son to him to help him in math. I'm so glad he met Tim. I have a hole in my heart , but I'm so grateful to have known him. Funny story.. One day we had a game at Tulane , Tim was driving the bus. It was a tight squeeze and the bus couldn't fit because of a huge cement plant holder.lol, we told him we could move the huge cement block,after all we were BHS State Volleyball players. He opened the bus doors and we got out and moved it!!! We laughed at this for years..remember when we moved the big cement block.lol.
I love you Tim, I'm so sad that you are gone. You were an awesome friend,teacher , coach,mentor. Love, Debbie Smith matherne

Debbie Matherne

July 10, 2014

RIP Mr. Merritt. You and Eleanor made an impact to be proud of. Thank you for your dedication and sense of humor.

Shari "Moose" Godfrey
Bonnabel High School - 1980

Shari Godfrey

July 10, 2014

Elenore I'm so shocked and upset for you and your family. I will keep all of you in my prayers.Just got into town today and was so saddened by the news.

Janis Godchaux

July 10, 2014

Coach Merritt was a great teacher, coach and mentor.
Bonnabel Soccer '81-82

Pamm Mulcahy-Ferrand

July 9, 2014

One of the best. Thanks for making my years at Bonnabel so memorable. I only hope that I can tiuch the lives of my students as much as you have touched mine. I will keep your family in my tboughts and prayers and your memory in my heart foever.

beth

July 9, 2014

Helana R. Lenox & Family

July 9, 2014

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