Bobby Ralph Merry

Bob Merry, retired colonel, died peacefully on October 9th, 2019 at the Stroud Regional Medical Center at the age of 83.  He was born on July 6, 1936 in Chandler, Oklahoma to Rufe William and Hazel Lillibridge Merry.  He is survived by wife Donna (Smith) Merry, daughter Robin Schott married to Val Schott; son Gordon Merry; step-daughter Trisha (Choate) Boss married to Ronnie Boss, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Bob loved Chandler and was very proud of the fact he was chosen Chandler School Alumnus of the Year in 2010.  He and Donna never missed an alumni reunion.  One of the proudest memories was his playing in the Chandler jazz band.

Rufe had a custom harvesting business which meant every summer when school was out, Bob and a large crew headed north to go as far as South Dakota to harvest wheat.  Many a local man was part of that crew and ate the meals Hazel made in the converted school bus. 

Bob embraced multiple careers with OG&E, Oklahoma Military Department, Integris Baptist Medical Center and Epworth Villa Retirement Community.  Every position he held, he built skills and integrity into the programs.  In 1956 Bob joined the Oklahoma National Guard in Chandler as soldiers were returning from Korea.  Whether he was overseeing the electrical crew or leading the rebuilding of Camp Gruber, he attacked the tasks with hard work.

Bob relaxed with his toy-hauler fifth-wheel RV in which he carried tools for any breakdown of his own or any of his colleagues.  He and Donna traveled throughout the Southwest until his illness overtook him.  Bob will be remembered for wanting to help others more than he wanted to be helped himself.

A funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 18, 2019 at the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in OKC with interment following in Oak Park Cemetery in Chandler at 1:00 p.m.  Arrangements are under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.

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