Carl Douglas Mervyn

Carl Douglas “Merv” Mervyn, 75, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Alamance Regional Medical Center.  He was born April 20, 1948 to the late Percy R. and Edna P. Hall Mervyn and was the husband of 47 years to Elizabeth Mervyn.

Merv was raised in Whittemore, Michigan and graduated from Whittemore-Prescott High School.  He received his Associates Degree from Delta College and later his Bachelors Degree from Columbia Bible College.  While at Columbia Bible College, he developed a passion for prison ministry.  He led weekly bible studies at the Broad River Correctional Institution complex, and later, he co-led a prison softball ministry that impacted all the correctional institutions in the greater Columbia, South Carolina area.  

Merv also gave of his time by volunteering with Special Olympics of Wake County and the State of North Carolina for many years.  He would often be the first person to arrive to set up for events and the last person to leave after cleaning up.  He was nominated for and won the Fred Fletcher Award with the Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department in 2014 for his outstanding volunteering with the program.  

Merv was avid about all sports, including Detroit Tigers baseball, Red Wings hockey, University of Michigan sports, basketball, football and any sport that his grandkids were playing.  He also volunteered coached several youth baseball, softball and basketball teams over the years.  

More than anything, Merv loved his family.  He would often call his children and other family members to talk and stay involved.  He especially loved his grandkids.  He enjoyed watching or hearing about their activities, whether it is baseball, robotics, figure skating, or soccer.  He would often learn more about their hobbies so that he could share in their passions.    He also enjoyed spending time with Elizabeth playing card games and going antiquing. 

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; children, Carl Mervyn II (Jenny), Cristy Bosley (fiancé Jason Lyon), Matthew Mervyn (Christina), Tori Voska (Joey) and Percy Mervyn; grandchildren, CJ Mervyn, Emily Mervyn, Ella Bosley, Olivia Bosley, Dustin Michael, Parker Mervyn (fiancé Naomi Eddy), Heather Mervyn, Kelsey Voska and Ethan Voska; brothers, Edward Mervyn (Lynn) and Pete Mervyn (Adelfa); sisters, Bert Biskey, Elva Peterson and Mickey Provoast (Harold) and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Ralph Mervyn and Bill Mervyn.

A gathering to celebrate his life will be held from 9:00am until 10:30am on Monday, April 15, 2024 at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory.  To support his love of sports, attendees are asked to wear their favorite sport team’s apparel.  Casual attire is encouraged.  The burial with military honors will take place at 10:00am on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Salisbury National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Special Olympics of North Carolina, 2200 Gateway Centre Blvd, Suite 201 Morrisville, NC 27560 and note Wake County in the memo line. 

You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com.