Mr, James Hubert Merrick

Merrick, James “Jim” Hubert Merrick, age 92, of Atlanta passed away on December 4, 2017. He was born on July 14, 1925 in El Paso, Illinois to the late Mary Josephine (Sutton) and James Hubert Merrick, Sr. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and served during World War II and the Korean War. Jim was a graduate of Illinois State Normal University. He married Edna Lou Benson at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Murfreesboro, TN in 1962. Soon after they were married they moved to Winter Haven, FL where they both worked at the newly opened Florida Regional Office of State Farm Insurance. He retired from State Farm Insurance in 1997 after 52 years of service. He was a long time active parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winter Haven and the proud father of four daughters, Patty, Melanie, Sandra and Judy who graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School and Santa Fe Catholic High School. An avid volunteer, Jim served many communities in Central Florida through Meals on Wheels, Toastmasters International, the Regional Blood Bank as well as many church and school functions; in recognition for his service, he was awarded the Mary, Mother of God Diocesan Medal (Diocese of Orlando) in 2008. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his six sisters and one brother as well as his wife, Lou who passed away in 2001. He is survived by his daughters, four grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Patricia Merrick Pharo and her husband Gregory Michael Abraham Pharo reside in Atlanta and have two children, Amanda Catherine Pharo and Jonathan Michael Henry Abraham Pharo. Dr. Melanie Joyce Merrick, a Naval Officer, is currently serving with SEVENTH Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan. Sandra Elaine Merrick and her husband, Roderick Charles Gauss, reside in Bellevue, WA and have two children, Matilda Claire Gauss and Conrad Andrew Gauss. Judith Lynn Merrick and her husband Philip J. Potter reside in Dunwoody, GA. In 2014, Jim moved from Winter Haven to Atlanta to be near his daughters, Patty and Judy after experiencing health problems related to aging. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Roswell, GA with Burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Murfreesboro, TN, alongside his loving wife Lou.

Mr, James Hubert Merrick

July 14, 1924 - December 4, 2017