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James Merrell Obituary

CMSgt. James (Jim/Grandpa) Edward Merrell

(Retired USAF)

BOSSIER CITY, LA - Jim passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. after an extended battle with prostate cancer. He was born February 11, 1934 to James and Fern (Chase) Merrell in Williamson County, IL.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed many years of hunting, fishing and golfing. Among his golfing accomplishments were the rare feats of shooting his age and sinking a hole in one. Jim retired in 1982 after 30 years of service with the USAF as Chief Master Sergeant. He served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. He served as the 8th Air Force Gunner during the latter years of his career. He retired a second time in 1996 from Frymaster where he served as International Training Director.

A memorial service for James E. Merrell will be held on November 9, 2013, Saturday, at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Airline Drive in Bossier City, at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Dan Hignight will be officiating the service. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Fern Merrell, sister, Jeanette Owen, step-mother, Betty Merrell and brother, J.W. "Dub" Merrell.

Jim is survived by his loving family; wife, Jackie; son, Larry Merrell (Janet); daughter, Linda Hughes (Henry); grandsons, Patrick and Cameron Merrell; granddaughters, Jessica, Mallory (Tristen), Anna Beth Hughes; sisters, Janice Behn and Darla York (Danny); and brothers, David Merrell (Joyce) and Terry "Rock" Merrell (Judy); and numerous nephews and nieces. He is also the honorary Grandpa to many.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that you honor Jim with donations made to the Shriner's Hospital, 3100 Samford Ave., Shreveport, LA or to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, NC.

You may share your memories with the family by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.



Published by Shreveport Times from Nov. 8 to Nov. 9, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for James Merrell

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JACKIE AND FAMILY, MARIE AND I RECEIVED WORD OF JIMS LAST FLIGHT AND WE ARE SADDENDED BUT REJOICING IN THE KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE OF THIS GREAT GUY AND THE FOND MEMORIES WE HAVE OF YOU TWO. SOME OF THE TIMES AT ELLSWORTH, HIS REENLISTMENT ON A CHROME DOME FLIGHT OVER THE NORTH POLE, THE LAST TRAINING FLIGHT OF A B-36 AT RAPID CITY, WE SHARED THAT, TRYING TO REPAIR, I BELIEVE A 1956 FORD, IN THE BASE HOBBY SHOP, WE MUST HAVE HAD THAT REAR END OUT OF THAT CAR TEN TIMES.
A GOOD FRIEND THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ALL THAT KNEW HIM AND BE MISSED BY ALL OF US.
MARIE AND I WILL KEEP YOU AND YOURS IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, LOVE TO YOU ALL, ALLEN & MARIE DUNCAN GETTYSBURG,PA.

December 10, 2013

Jackie and family, I know Jim will be deeply be missed by all. You all have a special place in our hearts. Love you all.

Diana and Ken Baughman and familoy

November 18, 2013

While clouds cover the sky
Sometimes they are dark and gloomy
Like the sadness you have today
Other times they shine with beams of light like
That coming from heaven above
Light overcomes gloom
May the sight of the clouds
Give you comfort
At this time of sorrow
As the rays of God shows through
With Sincere Sympathy

Jean Gilliam
Poem written July 27, 2008

Jean Gilliam

November 11, 2013

No words can express the sorrow we feel for this great guy !!!! Jackie , you and Jim always had a SPECIAL place in our hearts!!!!! Loved the times we had together !!!! Love to you Jackie,Larry Linda and families

November 10, 2013

You were loved and respect by all. See you soon. We will miss you at the golf course. Chuck

Chuck Primeaux

November 10, 2013

Jackie, I am so sorry to hear about Jim. I remember the times when you came to visit. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Hugs

wanda

November 9, 2013

Jackie, Larry, Linda and families - My sincere sympathy goes out to all of you. When I heard the news of his passing I instantly thought of his smile. So many of the comments in his guestbook have referred to that also. The respect he achieved through his service to our country and his love for God and family is so evident through all of these tributes. Hugs and prayers to you all. Kathy Duxbury Meyer

November 9, 2013

Jackie,

Marilyn and I are so sorry to hear about Jim . He was such a wonderful person and someone who will be very missed . It was a pleasure to know him and all of you family . May God be with you as you go through this difficult time .
Randy Tisdale

randy tisdale

November 9, 2013

Jackie and Family,

Julia and I extend our deepest sympathy. As you know, Jim and I served together at HQ 8th Air Force, Strategic Air Command. I will always remember Jim as a honorable gentlemen, a great sportsman, and a true patriot. Jim flew as a B-52 gunner which was a significant position on the B-52 during the Vietnam era. God bless you and your family.

Stanley Takara
Lt Col, USAF Retired

Stanley Takara

November 9, 2013

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU THIS MORNING. KNOW JIM HAS PUT UP A GOOD FIGHT, BUT WE KNOW ALSO THAT HE IS HOME WITH HIS HEAVENLY FATHER AND HIS FAMIL THAT HAS PRECEDED HIM,. LOVE TO YOU ALL. BOB AND ROSIE

November 9, 2013

Aunt Jackie, Larry, Linda and all, I wish I was there to give you a big hug and share my memories of Uncle Jim with you all. He was a great man and he always made me feel loved. ~ Amy

Amy Shinske

November 9, 2013

I am so sorry for your loss. Mom called me yesterday and informed me of the news. The first image that came to mind was his smiling face. He truly was an amazing man with a positive uplifting spirit. May God give you solice knowing how many lives he touched with his joyous demeanor.

Virginia Shrell

November 9, 2013

Jackie, I am so sorry. I never saw Jim without a smile and a kind word. He was the perfect choir singer - I never heard him. My prayers are with you and yours.

John Matthews

November 8, 2013

All of us have endured a loss with the passing of Jim, your's even deeper. He was like a brother and father to all of us that came up under his wing's. You too were the perfect team, taking care of us all. Now it's God's turn to share some time with him. God Bless You all.

Mr and Mrs Michael Roll and Boys,

November 8, 2013

Jackie and Family, it was my pleasure and joy to know and work with Jim. He was a very strong person, a man of integrity and kind to everyone . He was so much help to me during the years we worked together - his advise was always good and he was fun to be around. I am so sorry for your loss, his family was very important to him and as others have said, he talked about his family a lot. Be thankful for all of the many good memories you have. It was my pleasure to be his friend.

Evelyn Sutton

November 8, 2013

Jackie, we heard of Jim's death via e-mail from Charles Snyder. We ache for you and your family. Our prayers are with you. Love, Kay and Lloyd Marshall, Lake Kiowa, TX

November 8, 2013

Dearest family, I share your loss. Jim always had a smile and a warm greeting. I miss seeing him on a weekly basis. My love and prayers are with you always.

Pat Burchett

November 8, 2013

Jackie and family,
Tho I didn't know JIm, I know, how wonderful he must have been, just from knowing you for all of our childhood years. I send you my deepest sympathies for your loss. Keep your good memories of your time together, close at heart. May God Bless you

Gerri Sutton-Gordon

November 8, 2013

I didn't know Mr Merrell really, but had the honor of meeting him a few times. He was always so kind. I just knew he had to be such a sweet man and after reading the other post, I know he was. Mrs. Merrell, I pray for peace and comfort for you and your family. God has gained another Angel and he will wrap his wings around you. Stay strong in your faith and know that you will be together again in Gods home.

Cindy Allgood

November 8, 2013

Mrs. Jackie, Thank you for allowing me and the Entire Christus Team to help you. We know healing moves at its own pace. Be kind to yourself and take it one day at a time. I know your heart is aching and I am truly sorry for your loss
Sincerely Deborrah Ward and the Christus Team.

DEBORRAH WARD

November 8, 2013

Jackie: We extend our deepest sympathy to you and the family. Jim was a man of great character; once your friend, a friend forever.
You and your family can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. May God wipe away your tears, for Jim is now in a place were there is no sorrow or pain.

Ron & Sandy Hoff

November 8, 2013

The Final Salute

“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.

This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to James Edward Merrell our “Brother-in-Arms”. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Jim. And to Jim it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during the Korean and Vietnam Wars while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Jim, we commend you for your honorable service. You are a true patriot, who served with honor and distinction. You upheld the finest qualities of an American patriot warrior: courage, commitment, Generosity, sacrifice, love and devotion to family and country. You were a true friend. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of the 1,261 military veteran Legionnaires of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion and the 233 veterans of VFW Post 2238 in Shreveport, Louisiana, we extend our sympathies and our condolences to Jim's family and loved ones.

Bobby L. Williams, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 South Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109

James Mazariz, Commander, VFW Post 2238
1245 Gary Street, Shreveport, LA 71101

For the Commanders, Carroll R. Michaud

November 8, 2013

Jackie and family,
Not a finer man than Jim. I was always happy to see his smile. I was fortunate to travel the world with him and got to know Jim very well. He loved our God, his Jackie and his family.Family was the center of his universe and he talked about ya'll all the time. Doing anything with Jim was fun because he was such a warm and loving person. Just know you and your family are in our prayers.

Richard Young

November 8, 2013

Jackie dear, may the Lord wrap his loving arms around you and the family during these difficult days. Jim was a good and faithful servant and he will be missed. Mack & Joan Lee

November 7, 2013

Dear Jackie and family,

Jim was the greatest man I ever knew. As a young airman moving in to our first home across the street in 1987, he quickly introduced himself helping us adapt to our new life away from our family and making us feel at home. He was definitely a man's man, tough, strong, energetic, outgoing, but at the same time gentle, kind and loving. Everything that he was, I was inspired to become. He taught me a lot of things that I never had a chance to tell him. He taught me what being a good neighbor is all about and more importantly about love for family.

I often times said to my wife that I wished I had a Dad like Jim. He is a like a Rock and it shows at the incredibly awesome family that him and Jackie have raised. Whenever I entered their home I felt like I was at home. He inspired me to become a better man and to always love your neighbors and your family no matter what, because in the end that's all you got. I often times wondered why we remained in the house across the street for so long, but now I know.

I know he is in heaven with our Lord and Savior, so speaking to you now Jim, thanks for blessing my life and I am so proud to have had a friend like you!

David Zuber

November 7, 2013

Linda, the Cheney's are praying for all of you. Your dad was loved by a lot of people. What a blessing he was to so many. Love you.

Michelle Cheney

November 7, 2013

Jackie,our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very difficult time. Jim can now rest in peace and he will be truly missed by all that knew him.

George & Barbara Sloan

November 7, 2013

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