Obituary of Donald W Merrill

DONALD W. MERRILL
March 4, 1935 – January 18, 2024

Donald W. Merrill (Don), 88, passed away peacefully at home with his wife at his side on January 18, 2024.

Don was born in Orange, California on March 4, 1935, to Glen and Ann Clark Merrill.  He grew up in Anaheim, California and graduated from Anaheim High School in 1953.  He signed up for the Navy Reserve in January 1953 before graduating from high school.  He worked at Alpha Beta Grocery Store after graduation.  He decided the Navy wasn’t for him because he got extremely seasick.  Therefore, on April 3, 1955, he was Honorably Discharged from the Navy and the very next day on April 4, 1955, he signed up with the Air Force.  He was stationed on Oahu, Hawaii (before it was a State) and was a Chaplain Services Specialist.  He was Honorably Discharged on November 12, 1958.

When he returned home from the service he went to work for the Bank of America in Los Angeles as a teller until 1961 when he moved to Sacramento.  He started his career with the State of California at Veterans Affairs and then to the Department of Education, Textbook Distribution, where he met his future wife Janice Conrad in 1963.  Don and Jan were engaged on December 21, 1963, and married on July 11, 1964, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sacramento, CA.  Don went on to work at the Department of Water Resources and then to the State Water Resources Control Board where he retired on March 5, 1997, with 35 years of service.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marian and his brother Richard.  He leaves behind his wife Janice Merrill; daughter Connie Tepner (Robert) of Biloxi, MS; son Scott Merrill (Michelle) of Sacramento; grandsons Richard Marques, Brandon Marques, Christopher Tepner (Nicole), Christian Williams, Paul Gonzalez and Drew Gonzalez.  He also leaves behind great grandsons Joseph Marques, Corbin Marques, Caleb Tepner, Elijah Tepner and great granddaughters Elizabeth Tepner and Charlotte Tepner.  He leaves behind his sisters-in-law Grace Merrill and Joan Conrad and many nieces and nephews.

Don’s work ethic and his loving nature was an inspiration to all.  He especially cherished his family and the many friendships he formed throughout his life.  He was a great storyteller and had a great sense of humor.  He was in his “happy place” at gatherings with family and friends.  He loved to camp, fish and travel.  He also had a great love of trains.  He spent many wonderful camping trips throughout the years with family and friends.  After retirement he and his wife enjoyed many wonderful cruises around the world.  He had 49er tickets and enjoyed going to the games and tailgating.

Friends and Family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on May 4, 2024, at St. Lukes Lutheran Church, 7595 Center Pkwy, Sacramento, CA from 1-5 pm at Schultz Hall.  We encourage you to bring your stories to share.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, we ask that when you think of him you reach out to a friend, a neighbor or a stranger with a friendly smile, a warm hello or an act of random kindness.