Christopher Lon Merkley

Christopher Lon Merkley
1948-2012
Our beloved Christopher Lon Merkley ignored his long chronic illness and used his sharp wit to keep us laughing until he passed away on April 24, 2012. The 2nd child of Lon Babcock Merkley and Helen Woods, he was born in Salt Lake City on May 22, 1948, and eventually had 6 siblings to tease.
His marriage to Margaret Williams brought him the things most dear to his heart-3 children and then 3 grandchildren that he "thought about all the time."
He worked at various jobs, including house painting. He spoke proudly of the churches and buildings that he and his father waterproofed and sandblasted, and told stories of his days being helicoptered into remote, extreme-temperature places to drill for oil.
He loved yard sales and city cleanup days when the streets were filled with stuff he could scavenge, fix, and give to a good home. He wished he had done a lot more fishing and camping with his friends, and visiting with grandchildren. He loved to party with many friends. He read everything and remembered it - always a fountain of knowledge. And he loved blues, banjos, guitars, country music and more. But mostly he loved to entertain people.
Chris had far too many visits to the Emergency Room and University Hospital clinics where he entertained a marvelous staff of doctors, nurses, and aides with stories of his symptoms and extraordinary causes of liver failure. Thank you for your care.
He delighted in the company of his many nieces and nephews. And surprisingly, in recent years he attended classes where he marveled and took much comfort in the life of his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Preceded in death by Elizabeth Kay Merkley (daughter).
Survived by: sons Matthew Christopher Merkley and Trevor Daniel Merkley; grandchildren, Ethan, Miles, and Sarah Merkley; by siblings Kay Merkley, Louise Peine (Hermann), Parry Merkley (Carolyn), Ruth Fish (Stan), Allyson Merkley, Nancy Merkley; and a host of remarkable nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services: Family graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. at Salt Lake City Cemetery (4th Avenue and "N" Street). A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. prior to the services at Larkin Mortuary at 260 East South Temple St.