Bruce Cornelle Merryman Jr.

1943 - 2022

A Celebration of the life of Bruce Cornelle Merryman, Jr. of Fairfield, Texas will be held in The Chapel at Conroe Funeral Directors, 1504 N. Thompson St., Conroe, TX on Friday, December 23, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be Thursday evening, December 22, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Private interment will be at Houston National Cemetery on a later date.

Bruce was born in Sweetwater, TX on June 20, 1943, and was the beloved first-born of Bruce C. Merryman, Sr. and Evelyn Kinsey Merryman. He passed peacefully from this life on Monday, December 19th, at the age of 79. He was preceded in death by his mother in 1994 and his father in 2011.

Bruce graduated from Conroe High School in 1962 and joined the United States Air Force in 1964, excelling in the field of electronics. In 1968, following his honorable discharge from the military, Bruce worked at NASA Johnson Space Center and served there until 1972 during Project Apollo, the third U.S. human spaceflight program. During his memorable tenure at NASA, Bruce worked primarily in the Lunar Module Simulator where he enjoyed training and interacting with the astronauts.

Bruce was also an entrepreneur who owned and operated businesses for many years, first in Conroe and then in Austin. He retired after owning Just Jeeps in Austin for 18 years.

Bruce greatly enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, always reveling in their accomplishments. Other favorite activities included traveling in the U.S. and abroad, discovering unique restaurants, storytelling (most of which were true), and, in recent years, moving seasonally to beautiful locales with his wife, Lisa, while she served as a park ranger in national parks. Bruce also loved Corvettes, Jeeps, and his Best Dog, Sadie, who will miss him terribly.

Mr. Merryman is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lisa Davenport; his son Ty Merryman and partner Andrie of Pasadena; and his daughter Hayley English of Conroe. Bruce was blessed with four grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud: Brittany Merryman of Houston, and Cory Merryman, Emily English, and Sarah English, all of Conroe. Surviving siblings are Bruce's brother Dan and wife Charlene of Fort Worth, sister Karla and husband Marty Chenault of Houston. His dear aunt, Dolly Merryman, of Groesbeck as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives also survive.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Bruce C. Merryman, Jr. to Limestone Animal Rescue Adoption Shelter (aka LARAS House), 1517 Hwy. 71, Mexia, TX 76667.