Tommy Ray Merrel

Tommy Ray Merrel, 80, of Idaho Falls, passed away December 10, 2024, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Tommy was born June 19, 1944, in Bakersfield, California, to Donald  Merrel and Bessie Kline Merrel. He grew up and attended schools in Bakersfield and San Jose, California. He joined the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War.

On October 1, 1974, he married Debra L. Gilbert in Pocatello, Idaho. Tommy was collections agent and owner of Interstate Collections.

Tommy was very active in the community. He was a councilman for the City of Irwin, Idaho. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and the ACA and ICA Collection Associations and served as the President of the Idaho Collectors Association. He helped with the Special Olympics and was a ten-year volunteer for EMS/Fire Department in Swan Valley. He was also a member of the Kiwanis and Idaho Falls Rotary Club. He was an outdoors man and loved hunting, fishing, and hiking. He also enjoyed bowling and playing co-ed softball.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Debra L. Merrel of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Brent (Harmony) Merrel of Spokane, WA; daughter, Christie (Larry) Webb of Missouri; sister, Gerry Wolf of California; brother, Lee Merrel of Oklahoma; 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Kerry Hernandez, and six siblings.

No services will be held at this time.