Howard Stone Merchant

Howard was born in Charlotte, NC on September 4, 1923. He is a 1942 graduate of Central High and was a member of the football team. After high school he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Belleau Wood as an Air Ordnanceman First Class during World War II. Howard was awarded 13 Battle Stars, and his unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Following the war, he studied economics and commerce at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated in 1949.

In 1951, he married Rosa Lee McClain. The couple was blessed with two sons, Paul and Mark Merchant. The family lived for many years in Stanford, Connecticut before eventually returning to Charlotte. Howard and Rosa were married for 56 years before Rosa passed away in 2007.

Howard went on to have a successful career as a vice-president at Whirlpool, Walden Books, and other Fortune 500 companies. He later became the assistant to the CEO of RCA at their Rockefeller Center headquarters. With a lifelong entrepreneurial dream of owning his own business, Howard purchased Myers Bicycle & Locksmith in Charlotte in 1979. He ran the company with his son Paul Merchant until his retirement in 1999.

Howard is predeceased by his wife, Rosa and youngest son, Mark. He is survived by his eldest son, Paul Merchant and two grandchildren, Matthew and Elizabeth Merchant.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Peter's Episcopal Church of Charlotte, NC.

A Graveside Service will be held for friends and family at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015 at Sharon Memorial Park.