Garner Merrick

PALMETTO, Fla. - Garner Merrick, 84, of Palmetto, passed away after a battle with lung disease on May 25, 2015.

Born in Fenton, Mich., on Jan, 27, 1931, he graduated from Fenton High School with the class of 1949 and attended Michigan State University. After spending four years with the U.S. Air Force as an F-86 pilot during the Korean War, he married and settled in Ironwood, Mich., where he headed up the tax department, both at the city and county levels, from 1964 to 1974. After moving to Florida in 1974, he continued to work in the property assessment field for the state of Florida and Manatee County. He retired in 1993 and enjoyed the beach, sports and golf.

Garner was low-key about his accomplishments, but was the 138th person to break the sound barrier and had a number of golf club championships under his belt. He was also a Meals on Wheels volunteer for 21 years and a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Garner was pre-deceased by the love of his life, Betty Burger Merrick, to whom he was married 52 years; as well as his parents, Kleber and Alice Furlong Merrick, of Fenton.

He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Jim and Virginia (Pringle) Wright, Palmetto; a brother, Lorin Merrick, Fenton; a sister, Leah Anderson, Marble Fall, Texas, and a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Griffith-Cline Funeral Home on Saturday, June 13, at 3 p.m. and interment will be at the Sarasota National Cemetery on Monday, June 15, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manatee County Meals on Wheels at mealsonwheelsplus.org.