Peter Merrell

1945 - 2024

Peter (Pete) William Merrell, of Stevensville, MD died at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center on July 21, 2024. He was 79 years old.

Pete was born at the U.S. Army Convalescent Hospital in Coral Gables, FL on July 8, 1945, the son of Sgt. Ward Atherton Merrell and Elaine Mettie (Wadsworth) Merrell. The hospital was originally the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, and taken over by the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II. Pete was raised in Coral Gables, Boise, Idaho, Walla Walla, Washington and eventually in Vestal, New York while he was still in Elementary School. He graduated from Vestal Central School in 1963, where he won awards for his writing abilities and subsequently attended Syracuse University as a Journalism major. In 1965 he joined the Navy Reserve and served 1 year as a Reservist. In 1966 he went on active duty in Brooklyn, NY and school in Bainbridge, MD. He met his future wife, Arlene (Arni) Wanda (Cowperthwaite) Merrell in 1966, and they were married on April 27, 1967, 10 days before he was assigned to the Navy Communications Station in Wahiawa, Hawaii. She joined him seven months later.

After his 2 years in Hawaii, he was assigned to the Navy Communications Station on San Vito Air Force Base in San Vito, Italy in July 1969. Pete and Arni welcomed their first child, a daughter, Nicole Elaine (Merrell) Rives in 1970 in Wiesbaden, Germany. Arni spent 3 weeks in Germany before being flown back to Italy with their new baby. In 1972 Pete was assigned to Ft. Meade, MD where he worked for the Department of Defense until 1977. In 1973 they welcomed their second child, a son, Christopher Rex Merrell who was born at the Naval Academy Hospital. Their next duty station was the Navy Communications Station at the Air Force Lajas Field Base, although the Navy Communications personnel were situated in the hills near there. Pete's next duty station in 1980 was an assignment to Commander 7th Fleet Staff aboard the USS Blueridge, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, where he served for 2 years. They visited ports all over the Pacific; Subic Bay, Philippines, Korea, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and more. In 1982 he was assigned back to Ft. Meade, MD. He retired in 1986 after completing his 20 years of active duty. He attended Anne Arundel Community College from 1986 to 1988 and earned his Associate in Arts degree. He worked as a Mortgage Loan Officer for 3 years. He then became a Licensed Driving Instructor on Kent Island, Stevensville, MD until he retired. All his young students knew him as Mr. Pete!

Pete was an avid sports car enthusiast from his teens and belonged to a sports car club at each duty station. If the Base didn't have one, he started one. He enjoyed watching Formula 1 Grand Prix racing, NASCAR racing, and the truck racing of the up-and-coming NASCAR drivers. He and Arni autocrossed a 1969 Datsun 2000, a 1972 Datsun 240Z, and a Formula V. He was a member of The Kent Island American Legion, Post 278 for 40 years.

Pete was predeceased by his parents and his Father's sister, Aunt Mid. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Arlene (Arni), his son Christopher, his daughter Nicole, her husband Rodney and their son, Ryder, his brother Steven Merrell, his wife Judith and their children Kimberly Ritter, Paul Merrell and Betsy Park, as well as a bonus son, Joseph Garbarino, his wife Dayna, and their children Aireal and Logan.

A viewing will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 106 Shamrock Rd, Chester, MD from 11:00 to 12:00 noon. A service will be held at 12:00 noon. Burial will be at a later date in Windsor, New York.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Pete to the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be made at www.fhnfuneralhome.com