John Merrill

John Reid Merrill, age 62, of Sulphur Springs, died at his home on the 22nd day of April of complications from a rare form of cancer.

John was born in Dallas, Texas, on September 19, 1947, the son of Langdon Todd Merrill and Martha Taggart Merrill.

John resided in University Park from the time of his birth until graduating from Highland Park High School in 1965. Upon graduation from Stephen F. Austin State University, John embarked on a career in the life insurance business in Dallas with Southwestern Life Insurance Company and other underwriters. Twenty-five years ago John relocated to Sulphur Springs, and for the past seventeen years was an independent petroleum landman involved in numerous oil and gas projects in Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi.

To know John was to recognize a man who was immensely proud of being a native Texan, a son of the South and, above all, a patriotic American who was able to trace his family lineage to the early days of our nation and beyond. John was an avid golfer, a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys from the team's inception, an enthusiastic supporter of the athletic endeavors of his beloved Highland Park High School Scots, and, as well, a hunter whose impressive game trophies evidenced his skill with respect to that avocation.

John was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sister, Judith Merrill Maxwell. He is survived by close friends Ronnie and Linda Blount, Jeff and Priscilla Massey, Buck Booker, Reece Booher, Jay McClendon, Mark McClendon, Quinton Suttle, Clay Walker, Cynthia Butcher, Jim Harrell, former wife Noel Blackburne Welch, his long-time Alpha Tau Omega fraternity brothers, and a host of other friends whose lives were much enriched as a result of knowing John.

All friends of John are invited to participate in a casual, jubilant celebration of his life which will be held at 2:00 P. M. Sunday, May 2, at The Lodge, 1026 Interstate 30 East in Sulphur Springs, under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers John's many friends request memorial donations honoring him be made to Hospice at Memorial Hospital, 1228 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.