Baker City, Oregon
Clarence “Don” D. Merritt, 81, a longtime Baker City resident, died Feb. 4, 2004 at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
A memorial service will be held in his honor at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel with Pastor John Goodyear of the Baker Valley Church of Christ officiating.
A celebration of life at Settler’s Park Assisted Living Center will follow the memorial service at 2 p.m., with a snack tray potluck reception.
Clarence was born June 25, 1922, in Baker City to David and Grace (Srack) Merritt. He attended school in Baker and after graduating joined the United States Army.
While in the service, he began learning the trade of tool and die making. Upon his discharge from the military, Clarence moved to Downey, California, and went to work for Lockheed, where he continued his trade of tool and die making.
On Oct. 27, 1951, he married Matilda Barry. They remained in California until 1972. The couple later moved to Baker City where they worked managing motels.
He enjoyed going camping with his family to Selmack Lake in California. They enjoyed going on tourist travels to Tucson, Ariz., and Cucamonga, Calif. He loved to travel and visit new places and they especially enjoyed Disneyland.
He loved the family life. Don had a heart of gold and loved everyone. He did not have a mean bone in his body. He had a Christian attitude toward people and always tried to make the family laugh to get them out of the gloom.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Matilda “Tillie”; a daughter, Tammy Marie of Baker City; one brother, Ray Merritt and his wife, Aris, of Baker City; and one sister, Opal Laween Ball of Baker City; two nieces; two nephews; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Grace.
Memorial contributions may be made to Matilda “Tillie” Merritt in care of Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 6, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor