Ret. Capt. Hardy Lee Merritt

COLUMBIA – Funeral services for Captain Hardy Lee Merritt, Ret., 73, will be held at 12:00 noon Friday, May 26, 2017 at Main Street United Methodist Church, 1830 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr. Merritt was born August 15, 1943 in Poplar Bluff, MO and passed away Monday, May 22, 2017. He was the son of the late Vandore Merritt and Hazel Hendrix Merritt. He was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church and was very active. He served as a Captain in the US Navy. He attended Missouri School of Minds and was a member of Mensa Society. Mr. Merritt also graduated from SE Missouri State College with a Bachelor’s in Arts Degree in Political Science and Philosophy. While he was attending college, he served as an intern at NASA, testing the Saturn 5 Rocket that was attached to the Lunar Module associated with the Lunar Program. He then attended Graduate School at the University of South Carolina, receiving his Masters in Public Administration, and earned his PhD in Political Science in 1983.

His post military years were dedicated to serving his community in many different forms. He became a professor of politics and statistics, and used his unique understanding of the inner mechanisms of government to inspire open minds to seek progressive change in our political system. As well, he spent countless hours performing music for elderly communities, charitable functions and youth related projects to celebrate the tradition of folk music, and the powerful messages that this form embraces.

Mr. Merritt is survived by his wife, Billie Merritt of Columbia; sons, Jim Harris and Bray Merritt, both of California; grandchildren, Miles and Ryder Merritt, Kyle and Chloe Harris and Daniel Treglio; brother, Van Merritt of Colorado; sister, Emi Kingnorth of Florida and brother-in-law, Dale Medlock and his wife, Cindy.

Elmwood Funeral Home and Cremation Services are assisting the family with arrangements.

www.elmwoodfhcolumbia.com