Obituaries

Frank Merritt

Photo of Frank Merritt
Frank Merritt, 84, of Pine Bluff, passed away July 10, 2018 at his home. Born Jesse Franklin Merritt May 7, 1934 in Pine Bluff, he was a son of the late William David and Elmyra Word Merritt and was the 7th of 8 children. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Lester, Carl, Billy and James Merritt, and two sisters, Elmyra Rhodes and Lenora Roberson. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sue Kitchens Merritt, whom he married in 1973; one sister, Lucille Merritt Clay of Jonesboro, AR and a host of nieces and nephews. He was a 1952 graduate of Pine Bluff High School where he played the Sousa-phone in the R.B. Scrubby Watson's Band and in the All-State Band in 1952. In 1956 he graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. At Tech, he played the tuba in Gene Witherspoon's Band of Distinction and the 1st Arkansas Intercollegiate Band. In retirement he continued to play the tuba in the Pine Bluff Community Band. Frank was employed in 1957 by the Arkansas Power & Light Company/Entergy for 32 years retiring in 1989. During his career with AP&L he began as a traveling auditor, was promoted to manager of payroll in 1964 and to manager of customer accounting in 1971. Upon his graduation from Tech he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve Field Artillery and received ROA award for completing his military studies ranked #1 academically. He served 9 1/2 years in the military leaving the service in 1965 as a captain. During his Tech years he was selected to appear in Who's Who in America Colleges and Universities (1956). In 1978-79 he served as president of the Tech Alumni Association and in 2007 he was elected to the AR Tech Foundation Board. In 1977, Frank was ordained a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Central Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff where he was a faithful member of the choir. Also, he served on the board of Trinity Village for 7 years. He was a current member of First United Methodist Church of Pine Bluff. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday July 13, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff. Burial will be prior to the service at 10 a.m. at Bellwood Cemetery in Pine Bluff. Visitation with be Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Home in Pine Bluff. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 W 6th Avenue, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, or Hospice Angels, 3801 Camden Road, Chapel Village 1, Suite 12, Pine Bluff, AR 71603, or Pine Bluff Community Band, 390 Grant 142, Grapevine, AR 72057. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

Published July 12, 2018

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