Gaylord Merrill

Gaylord G. Merrill (1932 - 2003) IDAHO FALLS, ID - After a valiant fight, Gaylord G. Merrill, 70, succumbed from complications following open-heart surgery. On December 23, 2003, we lost our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and best friend. Gaylord Merrill passed away at 9:15 p.m., surrounded by his family, in Salt Lake City, UT, at the LDS Hospital. Gaylord Merrill was born Christmas morning, 1932, in Lewiston, Utah, to Barbara Telford Gayman and Ralph Vivian Gayman. Gay graduated from Westside High School where he was student body president. He served in the U.S. Army during the occupation of Germany after WWII, then earned his bachelor's degree from Utah State University. He married Ann Simmons on September 15, 1956, in Twin Falls, Idaho. In 1970, Gay and Ann moved to Idaho Falls where they established their own business, Gay's Music and Vending Company. Gay loved life from the start and lived it to the fullest. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and sportsman. He enjoyed golfing, camping, tying flies, traveling with his wife, and working in his beautiful garden. However, what he enjoyed the most, were the numerous family outings to Island Park, Aspen Acres and Bear Lake. When he was with his family and friends, he was always at his happiest. Gay enjoyed going to Alaska fishing with his friends, turkey hunting in Missouri, fly fishing on the South Fork, hunting elk, deer, geese and pheasant, and golfing at the country club. Gay is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 47 years, Ann S. Merrill, four daughters, Lori Looslie, Kerri (Art) Daniels, Julie (Michael) Griggs and Susan Scheer. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Joshua (Randi) Farmer, Caleb (Jennifer) Loosli, Jared and Nathan Griggs, and Tara Sue and Brandon Scheer, two great-grandchildren, Noah King and Ariah Rose Farmer. He is also survived by his stepfather, Spencer C. McMurdie. Gay was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara McMurdie, his father, Ralph Gayman, his stepfather, Paul R. Merrill, and his grandparents Bryant and Myrtle Telford. Gay's enthusiasm for life was contagious, and his cheerful demeanor brightened many days for people who knew him. He will be greatly missed by all, but now is at peace and we are thankful for this knowledge. BLess you, Daddy! We miss you! Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 30 2003 at Shadow Mountain LDS Ward with Bishop Kenneth Turley officiating. Family will visit with friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Monday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, and at 12:00 noon at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Deseret Foundation in c/o The Artificial Heart Program, Account #929-607, c/o LDS Hospital, 8th Avenue and C Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84143.