Robert Gary Merrick

In Loving Memory of Robert Gary Merrick

Gary was born on November 3, 1946, at the Sand Point Naval Hospital in Seattle, WA, to Dora E. Merrick.

Gary grew up in Ballard (in Seattle), where he was active in Boy Scouts and DeMolay and attended Ballard High School (1964). He worked from graduation until 1995 at Washington Grange Printing (Valco Graphics) in Seattle.

He married Sheri L. Matchett in 1968 and had two daughters. He was active in the PTA, Girl Scouts, Job's Daughters, and Masons. He was very active in his daughter's activities, driving everyone around and volunteering all his free time to help. He spent summers camping with his family, where he loved to boat and water ski. His favorite spot was Steamboat Rock (on Banks Lake in Eastern Washington), where, over the span of 45 years, he met a ton of lifelong friends. He was a founding member of the infamous Steamboat Rock Swim Club. He was most at home with his feet in the sand and shoulders in the sun!

In 1996, he married Heidi Droter Merrick and moved to her hometown of Colville, WA. There, he worked at Aladdin Steel, Hearth and Home, and the Statesman Examiner until retirement. The couple traveled throughout Washington for various gatherings of the Job's Daughters as well as Australia and Mexico. Gary and Heidi entertained frequently. Gary loved grilling and cooking, playing cards, and spending quality time with friends and neighbors. Gary was always reaching out to help others in his neighborhood. He will be remembered for snow-blowing neighbors' walks and drives throughout the winter season. Not one to bundle up from the cold, Gary would often be seen clearing snow wearing a pair of shorts and his moon boots!

Gary loved his Seahawks, Mariners, boating on the Columbia River with friends, fishing and hunting, and spending time with his family. He was well known for his willingness to help anyone who needed it. He had many great stories, and you would often find him in lengthy conversations with people that he barely knew, who would end up becoming his friends – something that made him very special. He had a fabulous sense of humor and loved fiercely.

Through genetic testing very late in life, he found out that he had 3 half-brothers and a half-sister that he never knew about. He was fortunate enough to have met one of those brothers before he passed, a day that was very special to him.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Heidi Droter Merrick, daughters Heidi Merrick and Liesl Merrick Brooks (Laurice), stepson Sean Preston (Ally), grandchildren Robert Adin Brooks, Annelise Preston, Axel Preston, and Lucy Preston, sisters and brothers-in-law, and several first cousins.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Colville Elks Lodge. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit danekasfuneralchapel.com to sign in on Gary's Memorial Site.