1945
Jim
2015
Jim Merritt
March 19, 1945 — April 9, 2015
Graveside service for Jim Merritt will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at the Chelsea Cemetery. Pastor Jay McAlister will officiate. Visitation will be held on Monday from 1-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.at the Chelsea Funeral Home Chapel.
Jim passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at the age of 70.
The son of Wilson James and Vivian Brewer Merritt was born March 19, 1945 in Pryor, Oklahoma. It was in Pryor at a young age that Jim began instilling his hard work ethic. He started as a paperboy delivering newspapers by bicycle, then at age 14 began working at Thomas's Restaurant, and later learned the hobby of scuba diving where at times he was asked to do scuba work for people in the area. As he entered into high school Jim excelled academically & his Senior year began playing football. After graduating in 1963, he went to Cowley Community College in Arkansas City, KS on a football scholarship . A few years later he transferred to Northeastern State University. It was then that he began working in Chelsea at Paul Merriott Funeral Service. It was also around this time that he met Nikki Brinlee in Chelsea. They married December 27, 1971. Wanting to continue in the funeral business, Jim and Nikki moved to Dallas where he enrolled in the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. Upon graduating Jim moved to Pryor where he began working for Jim Greens Funeral Home. He would work in the funeral industry in various locations in Northeast OK until the mid 1980's when he then entered into car sales. He worked in Vinita for many years and was part owner of A&M Chevrolet. He retired from there in 2003.
Jim was always active in the community where he lived. He served on many boards such as the Chelsea Gas Authority, and the Chelsea City Council.
In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling, and the occasional slot machine.
He is preceded in death by his parents Wilson James and Vivian Merritt.
Survivors include: his children, Marilee Hagebusch and husband Matt of Nowata, Jamilee Jones and husband Danny of Chelsea, and Rowdy Merritt and wife Amanda of Chelsea; grandchildren, Nick and Ben Hagebusch, Tessa Jones, and Hailey Davis and husband Adrian of Junction City, KS; great-grandchild, Jayden Davis; brother Tom Merritt and wife Marilyn of Salina; in-laws, Frank and Lee Spence of Chelsea, and several nieces and nephews.
Jim passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at the age of 70.
The son of Wilson James and Vivian Brewer Merritt was born March 19, 1945 in Pryor, Oklahoma. It was in Pryor at a young age that Jim began instilling his hard work ethic. He started as a paperboy delivering newspapers by bicycle, then at age 14 began working at Thomas's Restaurant, and later learned the hobby of scuba diving where at times he was asked to do scuba work for people in the area. As he entered into high school Jim excelled academically & his Senior year began playing football. After graduating in 1963, he went to Cowley Community College in Arkansas City, KS on a football scholarship . A few years later he transferred to Northeastern State University. It was then that he began working in Chelsea at Paul Merriott Funeral Service. It was also around this time that he met Nikki Brinlee in Chelsea. They married December 27, 1971. Wanting to continue in the funeral business, Jim and Nikki moved to Dallas where he enrolled in the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. Upon graduating Jim moved to Pryor where he began working for Jim Greens Funeral Home. He would work in the funeral industry in various locations in Northeast OK until the mid 1980's when he then entered into car sales. He worked in Vinita for many years and was part owner of A&M Chevrolet. He retired from there in 2003.
Jim was always active in the community where he lived. He served on many boards such as the Chelsea Gas Authority, and the Chelsea City Council.
In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling, and the occasional slot machine.
He is preceded in death by his parents Wilson James and Vivian Merritt.
Survivors include: his children, Marilee Hagebusch and husband Matt of Nowata, Jamilee Jones and husband Danny of Chelsea, and Rowdy Merritt and wife Amanda of Chelsea; grandchildren, Nick and Ben Hagebusch, Tessa Jones, and Hailey Davis and husband Adrian of Junction City, KS; great-grandchild, Jayden Davis; brother Tom Merritt and wife Marilyn of Salina; in-laws, Frank and Lee Spence of Chelsea, and several nieces and nephews.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jim Merritt, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, April 13, 2015
1:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Chelsea Funeral Home & Cremation Service
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