Stephen P. Merlo

1948 - 2016

Stephen Merlo -- proud American, passionate outdoorsman and consummate storyteller -- passed away at home Oct. 18 in Bakersfield, Calif.
Steve was born in Bakersfield in 1948, the first child of John and Anita Merlo. He attended St. Francis School in Bakersfield before the family moved to Buttonwillow in 1960, where he continued his education at Buttonwillow Elementary, Shafter High School and Cal Poly University-San Luis Obispo. Buttonwillow's wide open spaces, abundant wildlife and unrestricted freedoms helped nurture Steve's love for hunting and fishing, which grew into a lifelong passion. He would later write about those idyllic childhood years in his weekly columns in The Bakersfield Californian.
From 1969-71, Steve served in Vietnam with the Americal Division of the U.S. Army, from which he was honorably discharged as a buck sergeant. He never forgot his fallen friends who served there and wrote moving columns about the profound impact they had on his life.
Later, Steve served as convenience store/station manager near Lost Hills for many years, which afforded him the opportunity to fish and hunt every day before and after work. He also worked for Bonander Featherlite Trailers. But Steve's work life always took a back seat to his love of hunting and fishing.
Steve lived a full life and is remembered as a major figure in the fishing community. He fished bass tournaments most of his life and won more than 60 tournaments. Few people knew more about local wildlife and the outdoors. Steve advocated for wildlife conservation, the Second Amendment and veterans' rights. He was named Kern County Sportsman's Man of the Year in 2008. When it came to sharing his love of the outdoors, he was patient and giving, never afraid to share his knowledge. He taught fishing classes through the Levin Institute of Bakersfield College and conducted seminars at many sportsman shows. Everywhere he hunted and fished - whether in California, across the U.S., in Canada, Mexico or Argentina -- Steve made friends and was always invited back.
Steve's experiences as a hunter, fisherman and guide brought him hundreds of friends. Thousands more came to know Steve and his love of the outdoors through his weekly column in The Bakersfield Californian. He also wrote for other outdoor publications, including Bakersfield Tuff and California Sportsman.
Steve loved to cook, especially the fish and game he brought home. He published a popular cookbook of treasured recipes, which he gave to friends and family. He also wrote two novels, "Oren's War" and, completed just a week before he died, "Foxes, Rats and Dragons."
Steve will be greatly missed. He is survived by his loving wife, Candy, who was his favorite fishing companion, along with his beloved hunting poodle Beau and housedog Claude; his two sons, Christian (Kelly) and Jason (Debbie Hiott) Merlo of Austin, Texas; two grandchildren, Violet and Jasper Merlo; brother, Larry (Bonnie) Merlo of Buttonwillow; sisters Elizabeth (Dale) Brewer and Catherine (David Gaeta) Merlo of Bakersfield; nephews and nieces Michael, Vincent and John Merlo, Christina and Holly Brewer, and Gabriel Gaeta; aunts Joan Garibaldi, Louisa (Ron) Corti, Annie (Bob) Blackmon and Flora Ghilarducci; uncle Art (Eleanor) Ghilarducci; great-aunt Olga Jacobs; and numerous cousins. He is also survived by stepsons Andy (Jennifer) Comer, Kris Comer, Don (Joanne) Wolstenholm, and Michael (Michelle) Wolstenholm and their children; Jeri Schueler; "adopted son" Damon Davis; and many friends.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 24 at Canyon Hills Assembly of God Church (7001 Auburn Street, Bakersfield, Calif.) Pastor Wendell Vinson will officiate. Honorary pallbearers will be Percy "JR" Apodaca, Ken Barnes, Don Crabtree, Damon Davis, George Dollar, Chris Jones, Bill Lewis, Ronnie Raymond, Jim Roberts and Chris Weir. Steve's remains will be interred at a later date at the Bakersfield National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Wild Turkey Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the California Waterfowl Association or Ducks Unlimited.