OBITUARY: Frank Merritt

Frank Merritt

Frank Merritt, 79, passed away on August 22, 2021 in his home in Logandale, NV. He was born on January 29, 1942 in Georgia, to William G. Merritt and Julia S. Drummond.

Frank was raised outside of Marrieta, GA on his family’s farm. Much of his time was spent working to sustain the family on the small farm. Being the youngest of three brothers and two younger sisters, Frank was taught many of life’s lessons in a creative method, such as being tossed into a lake to learn how to swim. Frank met his first wife, Ginger, and adopted her daughter Lenna, and his family continued to grow with the births of Robyn and Chip.

Around that time, Frank served nine years in the Unites States Army, including a one year Tour of Duty in Viet Nam, ending his military service as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Sill Lawton Oklahoma. Frank absolutely loved his children, but during his time in the military and complications in his marriage, he lost custody of them.

He had a brief second marriage to Penny, where he became the proud stepfather to Lisa and Tiffany Brown.

Frank stayed in Oklahoma for several years after, then was introduced to Donna Louise Luker Staley, and after a brief courtship, they were married on March 25, 1978 in Overton, NV. Frank became the father of three teenagers: Sherry, Bret, and Garen, and they were able to build a loving relationship over the years. Frank moved to the Moapa Valley area on July 3, 1978, and became a Master Electrician for Reid Gardner before retiring in 2006.

While Frank was living in Oklahoma, a missionary from Logandale, NV came to his home and taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and Frank was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a faithful member for the rest of his days, and he was eternally grateful to Jim Hardy for his testimony. He became invested in genealogy and served as a ward temple family history consultant.

During this time as the first baptized member of his family, Frank researched thoroughly into his family line and was able to oversee the temple work of many family members.

Frank loved to experiment with different hobbies, whether it be woodworking, cement work, or even painting, Frank could work wonders with the talents he committed to. He loved fishing in Lake Mead with his family. He had an interest in classic cars, and shared that with his stepson, Bret. He had a good but somewhat short temper, but loved his family with everything he had.

Frank is survived by his wife, Donna L. Merritt; his children: Lenna, Robyn, Chip, Sherry, and Bret (Laura) Staley; daughter-in-law Natalie Staley; ten grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; the Walkington family, Lani and Lori whose childern adopted Frank as Grandpa – which he loved, and greatly appreciated their relationship; two sisters: Shirley and Mary; and a large extended family in Georgia and Texas.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers Bill and Harrold; his son, Garen Staley; and his grandson, Cortney Staley.

Viewing services will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Hinckley Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Logandale Cemetery. A live-stream of the services may be found at Frank Merritt Memorial Facebook Group.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their guest book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.

The family wishes to give a special thanks to Mesa View Hospice.