Charles “Russ” Merrill, 87, passed away Thursday, August 9, 2012, in Fort Worth.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: The family will receive friends beginning at 6 p.m. Monday at Biggers Funeral Home where a rosary will begin at 7 p.m.
Memorials: St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2920 Azle Ave., Fort Worth, or a charity of choice.
Russ was born August 1, 1925, at Chalk Mountain, the youngest of seven children born to Henry and Ola Mae Merrill. The family moved to Fort Worth where he later graduated from Fort Worth Technical High School. He always had many stories and fond memories of growing up on the northside.
He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps stationed in Washington, D.C., from 1946-1947. He was a machinist who worked with a medical doctor at Walter Reed General Hospital in construction of elbow proshetics for injured soldiers returning from World War II.
Russ was married to Mary Alice Murphy on October 4, 1948, until her death in December, 1988. They had three children, Chuck, Kathy and Mike. Many happy times were spent on trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the Murphy grandparents.
Russ was employed by Convair/General Dynamics at 18 years of age. Except for the time he served his country in the Army, Russ “Tony” spent his working career as machinist/manager/supervisor until his retirement in January 1988. There are many longtime friends from that time of his life.
Mr. Merrill’s favorite pastime hobby was racing homing pigeons. He was known as “Tony” to his friends in the sport of pigeon racing and had many wonderful stories. The American Racing Pigeon Union accepted him as a member at age 18 and he was present at the meeting organizing the Texas Center, a branch of the AU organization. He served as an officer in the Northside Flying Club and the West Wing Racing Pigeon Club. He won many races and trophies, the last one was in May 2012.
Russ and Christine Chapman were married in June 1990. The next 22 years were spent with the large combined families at holiday times and birthdays, laughing and having a wonderful time. Russ and Christine traveled to many places in the U.S. and foreign countries. They loved to dance the Texas two-step and waltzed “across Texas” in many old-time Texas dance halls. Most Saturday nights for many years were spent dancing at the Springtown Senior Center with friends.
Russ was also preceded in death by his parents and six siblings.
He is survived by: Wife, Christine; children, Chuck Merrill and wife, Linda, Kathleen Robertson and husband, Rob, Michael Merrill and wife, Veronica; stepchildren, Joy Holekamp, Christina Harmon and husband, Chip, and John Chapman; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two nieces; and three nephews.
