John David Merrill

1928 - 2024

John David Merrill, age 95, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2024 surrounded by family. John was born in Logan, Utah on April Fool's Day, 1928 which led to a lifetime of jokes. He was the fourth of six children born to Dr. Wendell William and Beena Peterson Merrill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ollie Jean, and his brothers, Bill, Pete (Ardella), Bob (Alice) and Les Merrill, and his grandson, John David Merrill.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of almost 73 years, Beverly (Hansen) Merrill, his children Susan Benham (Herb), Dave Merrill (Genny), and Judy Moticka (John), grandchildren Katie Oliver (Hunter), Herbie Benham IV, David Larsen (Theresa), Sam Benham (Lauren), Eric Larsen (Gaby Wisnewski), Amanda Merrill, Thomas Benham (Alicia Didio), Jake Merrill, and step-grandchildren Don Moticka (Jennifer), and Julianne Moticka, along with 7 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

John grew up in Logan, Utah, graduating from Logan High in 1946, and, after serving in the Army, he attended Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University) on the GI Bill, graduating in 1951. He and Bev were married on June 12, 1951. He began working for Sears, Roebuck and Company, and spent his entire career with them, rising through the ranks of the Credit Department, which moved him all over the country (Utah, Montana, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Georgia) finally retiring as Southeast Territorial Credit Manager. These experiences left him constantly (and unsuccessfully) urging his children to never carry a balance on a credit card.

In retirement, he enjoyed traveling with Bev throughout the US and Europe, tinkering with old cars, golfing and snow skiing (something he learned as a kid in Utah). He also took up crossword puzzles although his "unique" spelling caused him frequent frustration. He and Bev had a decades long Gin Rummy game tally and they played a hand or two just about every morning. Several of his grandsons took great pride in occasionally beating him at his own game.

He enjoyed great food, especially his wife's cooking, a margarita with lunch, Willie Nelson, a good story, M and M's, and a martini before dinner with his dog, Daisy, at his feet. He will be missed.

A Celebration of his full life will be later this spring in Logan, Utah. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:

H.A.L.T. Animal Rescue of Bakersfield,

P.O. Box 733

Bakersfield, CA 93302

or to The Robert D. Merrill Scholarship at the S. J. Quinney College of Law by mailing a check made out to:

"Merrill Scholarship at the College of Law"

University of Utah Advancement

PO Box 58006

Salt Lake City, UT 84158