James Merrick, Sr.

James Merrick, better known as Jim Merrick Sr., passed away in Kerrville, Texas on Monday, April 1, 2019 at the age of 85. He was born on August 18, 1933 in Garden City, Kansas to Hardy D. Merrick and Goldia Hasha Merrick. He was married to Billye Wade Rau Merrick on November 26, 1955 in Menard County. They were married 57 years. \r\n\r\nHe attended school in Abilene, Texas and Los Angeles, California. He also attended Abilene Christian University and majored in Engineering. He served as Secretary for the American Institute of Plant Engineers. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and was affiliated with many clubs and organizations. He had a zest for life and enjoyed it to the fullest wherever he went or whoever he was with. He stood for honesty, hard work, and accomplishment while still having fun along the way. Everyone he met became a close friend. He had the natural gift of humor and spread his happiness with storytelling along with much laughter. He had a vast working experience and was bilingual in both Spanish and English. He served as Plant Engineer for several meat packing plants throughout the mid-west for many years. He built barges in Nicaragua, helped build naval ships and assisted in the completion of the BART Subway system in San Francisco, California, blasted and carved out roads in the mountains of Colorado and built commercial refrigeration plants all over the US. His family owned and operated Sort-Rite International which produces commercial shrimp dehulling machines. His family also owned and operated The Silver Mine in Menard, Texas for many years. They were contracted out to sink hundreds of shafts throughout Texas and New Mexico. Upon moving to Kerrville, he opened his own company, AC & R Plus which provided installation and management of residential and commercial refrigeration units. He also worked for Schreiner College and finally completed his working years at the Kerrville State Hospital at the age of 80.\r\n\r\nJim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brothers, HD Merrick, Wally Merrick and Clarence Merrick; and his sisters, Margaret Ratchford, Rosellyn Hunter and Marlene Evans. \r\n\r\nHe is leaving behind a son, James William Merrick Jr. and wife Gay Lynn Merrick; two daughters, Nina Brown and husband Gary Brown and Lexy Merrick; nine grandchildren, Heather Land, Heidi Killeen, Holly Meyer, Shelby Michalec, Jenna Clack, Jeff Brown, Angie Durr, Julie Brown and Merissa Swope; sixteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He will be missed by many nephews and nieces and his two dogs, Bonnie and Clyde. \r\n\r\nFuneral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, April 5th at Grimes Funeral Chapels along with a burial service at the family cemetery at 1:00 pm, Saturday, April 6th in Eula, Texas.\r\n\r\nMemorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of his wife, Billye Wade Merrick, or to the Humane Society of Kerrville. \r\n\r\n