Merrill Steven Foltz

Merrill, known to most as Mert, was born on March 27, 1955 in Norfolk, Virginia. Mert was the son of Gayle Cecil Foltz and Theone Jensen Foltz. Mert was the youngest of three, Jeffrey the eldest, and Vickie. Gayle was a Captain in the U.S. Navy, and therefore, Mert experienced travel most kids would only dream of, including three years in Chile. He was raised in Long Beach, California. On January 27, 1979, he married Susan Teresa Heckman. They had three children together and were married for thirty-four years. In 1982, he graduated from California State University Long Beach with a major in Industrial Arts. He became a skilled woodworker and worked in Southern California for nearly forty years.

He loved skiing in Utah, surfing in San Clemente, and sailing up and down the California coast. He loved being near or on the water, so he generously raised his three kids in San Clemente, California. He cherished his boats and spending time on Catalina Island. He was a man of endless hobbies and talents. He loved photography, art, cars, camping, classic films, walking around Laguna Beach, horseback riding, visiting U.S. National Parks, and traveling. He had an envious music collection, especially from the 70's, his favorite decade of music.

He loved renovating homes with his creativity and spent his last year at his home in Ephraim, Utah, only fifteen minutes from Manti, where Theone was born. He rekindled his childhood love for slot cars and built an extensive track in his basement, perfecting every particular detail. He was always on the go and rarely could sit still for too long. He was an extrovert and could socialize with anyone, which is how most remember him. His optimistic outlook and willingness to go on any adventure will forever be admired. His living motto was "Why not?" He lived a fulfilling life of sixty-eight years but was cut short by pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded in love with his family at the time of his passing. He is always on our minds and forever in our hearts.

Mert is survived by his three children, Paul Merrill, Denise Ashley, and Jaclyn Theone, and their spouses. Mert was also a proud grandpa to eight grandchildren. Mert was spread at sea and remembered in a private family service in Dana Point, California. "He's somewhere on the ocean now, a place he outta be."

Merrill "Mert" Steven Foltz

March 27, 1955-September 14, 2023

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, passed away in San Clemente, California.