Samuel Merlyn Chavis

12/27/1928 - 02/12/2011

CHAVIS,
Samuel Merlyn

W7IKG / W7XM

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Samuel Merlyn Chavis went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, February 12, 2011. He was born to Ada and Sam Chavis on December 27, 1928 in Prosser, WA.
He grew up in Mount Vernon and Auburn, WA.
Merlyn attended the Seventh Day Adventist Academy in Auburn, WA. He joined the Merchant Marines in December, 1945, and served on small crafts in the Philippines during WWII. He worked as a painter and was a member of the Painters Trust Union. Later, he became a Master Taper, working for U.S. Drywall and doing his own contracting. He taught three of his step-sons his trade.
Merlyn's favorite hobby was Ham Radio. He acquired his radio license, call letters W7IKG, in 1956 and was upgraded to the advanced license, W7XM, in 2006. He built his own radio equipment and enjoyed this hobby immensely, chatting with people all over the world. He was a member of the Radio Club of Tacoma for many years.
Merlyn spent his retirement years in Spokane, WA with his wife Reni and their many beloved pets. He enjoyed making his own salsa and canning it, along with growing an ample vegetable garden, and of course, his favorite hobby: Ham Radio. He also enjoyed playing guitar, going crabbing and shrimping in his boat on the Puget Sound, and cheating at card games with his girls.
Merlyn was preceded in death by his parents and seven of his eight siblings. He is survived by his wife Lorene (Reni), sister Jean Fenimore (Stan); his six daughters: Merlynda (Kevin) Childers, Marie (John) Jackson, Missy (Mike) Morehart, Michelle (Ralph) Smith, Marty (Keith) Barnes, and Marita (Gary) Senum. He had fifteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren with one more great-grandchild on the way when he passed. He is also survived by his step-children Tom (Cesalee) Clark, Jim (Lorie) Clark, Diana Clark, Dan Webster, Clay (Leslie) Webster, sixteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Merlyn spent the last three years in the Spokane Veterans Home. The family would like to thank the staff for taking such good care of Merlyn, with a special thanks to Sue Lindley. We are all especially grateful to Merlyn's step-daughter, Diana, for the loving care she gave him every day at the Veterans Home.
There will be a memorial/celebration of life service for Merlyn on Sunday, March 6th at the Colbert Chapel, 4922 E. Bernhill Rd., Colbert, WA 99005, at 2:00pm. A reception will follow.