Ray Lafayette Merritt Jr.

Major Ray L. Merritt, Jr. (USAF Ret) passed away September 07, 2020, surrounded by family. He was born October 08, 1942, in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he attended Knoxville East High School, and graduated from the University of Tennessee with Bachelor of Science degree in 1965.

Ray Merritt was born to fly and pursued it from the age of 9. In high school he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was inducted into The Order of the Arrow. He became an assistant scout master to Troop 15 in East Knoxville. After graduating from UT he was commissioned as a 2nd LT. and entered the Air Force Pilot Training in Laredo, Texas.

Graduating from Pilot Training in December 1966, he was assigned to Vietnam flying a C-123 Provider transport. Ray was there during the ’68 TET offensive and flew in and out of Khe Sanh during the siege. On the ground he was the subject of numerous rocket and mortar attacks, and sniper fire. Ray always said, “I was extremely lucky and came home without a scratch.”

Ray’s next assignment was in Charleston AFB, South Carolina flying a C-141 transport. Each month he would fly back to Vietnam delivering supplies and bringing home the wounded and dead. In 1971, he was assigned as an instructor teaching pilots to fly the C-141 at Altus, Oklahoma for four years.

He then flew VIP Boeing 707’s at Andrews AFB in Washington, D.C. Later he became the passenger service officer handling the VIP flights. In 1979, Ray was assigned to Panama and became the air terminal manager at Howard AFB for three years.

While in the military he completed his master’s degree in Human Resources as well as several military educational courses. In 1982, Ray was assigned as the Senior Officer Controller in Langley AFB command post where he retired as Major in 1986.

During his term of service he received the following awards:

• Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters

• AF Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

• Combat Readiness Medal

• Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon

• Humanitarian Service Medal

• AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters

• National Defense service Medal

• AF overseas Long Tour Ribbon

• AF Overseas Short Tour Ribbon

• Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star

• AF Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster

• AF Outstanding Unit award with four oak leaf clusters

• Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device

• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

After his Military retirement, Ray continued serving his country by flying for The Commonwealth of Virginia for several years. He later became the private pilot for Henry S. Branscome, Sr. and family. He ended his 48-year flying career with Flight International on training missions contracted with US Navy.

He continued to be active in the C-123 provider in Southeast Asia Group. For the past several years he also managed the Bill Jenkins and The Virginia Mountain Boys a Bluegrass band that was inducted into the Music Hall of Fame and performed at the National Press Club.

In 1970 he married Helga Bastuck, and they adopted six children from the U.S. and various Central American countries. Though now separated, they both had the desire to help some children that would have no future otherwise. He took pride in every one of them and their children and the part he was able to play in each life.

His wish was, “May they someday remember the old man fondly.”

Ray is preceded in death by his parents Ray L. Merritt, Sr. and Georgia Mae Merritt.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday September 13th, 2020 from noon-4:00 pm at Nelsen Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at a later date in Knoxville, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Due to Covid restrictions visitors including children will be required to wear a mask. Visitors will be limited to 50 people per viewing room.