Name is Gary Sparks and I live in Camarillo  California. I met Mike in Big Sur in 1976 during his ride across the country and subsequently what became our ride across the country. My friend Doug and I left Oxnard California on April 18, 1976 heading north toward Corvallis, Oregon.  While working our way through Big Sur’s numerous uphill, downhill,  twists, and turns, we came across a solitary bike rider who looked like he had been riding a hard road.  Well, that person turned out to be Mike Merchant and he joined us for the rest of the ride across the country.  We separated in South Dakota for about three  or four weeks. Doug and I stayed with my family there while Mike rode/hitch hiked to Ohio and rejoined us for a short time in SD and Minnesota then Mike went north to Canada. When we crossed over into Ohio later that year, we stayed at Mike’s family farm.  I remember getting my haircut by someone it might’ve been his sister, but I’m not sure.   As time went on we never tried to get in contact with each other I’m sad to say but life rushes on.  Coming up next year is the 50th anniversary of those rides across the country and it got me thinking about Mike so I googled him and it turned out to be this. I am so sorry.  I hope this memory brings joy and love to Mike’s family. 
I have more pictures that I could share. 
Please feel free to contact me.  
Gary Sparks 
1716 Weston Circle 
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-312-3721

Merch had the best hunting dogs...   I was saddened to hear of Mike's passing.    It was a privilege to know and hunt with Mike and his amazing dogs.

Mike and I loved to spend the day trolling Hoover reservoir for blue catfish. We had been kayak fishing for a couple of years. Before Mike set up trolling motors we would paddle all day. We went to so many lakes that I couldn’t remember the names of them all. Mike would disappear because he liked to paddle paddle and paddle and then paddle some more. On a visit to Buck creek near Springfield, we ran into some bad weather. The wind was blowing. There were whitecaps on the water. All the boats were coming in because of the weather. I gave up trying to paddle and fish but there was Mike across the lake fishing like crazy. He finally came in. I said, “Mike what were you doing out there“. He responded that the catfish were biting like crazy and he was not gonna leave.  

May the wind be at your back, may the fish be biting and the IPA be cold. You will always be in my memory. I’ve stood before God and testified that you are a Mensch by reciting Kaddish numerous times. 



Mike’s expression was “is it picture worthy“.  We had about a 45 minute drive to Hoover reservoir. Mike was not much of a talker. I pretty much lead the conversation. I’m not sure if he didn’t like my jokes or just couldn’t hear me. If I mentioned something about bikes he lit up. I never knew all the differences of the bikes. He helped me with my bike. He Helped me with my girlfriend/wife’s bike. He helped some poor guy in our neighborhood with his bike.

When I needed help digging out a drain line Mike came without being asked trotting down the street with his wheel barrel, shovels, and a big smile. He said to me “I love to dig“. 

This is on our trip to Canada. Thank you Mike for encouraging me to go. He had a sense of adventure. I loved hearing his story of his cross country bike trip.

Mike and I went on numerous camping fishing trips. This was from our trip to Canada. We stayed in a cabin on the lake. As soon as the sun went down we had to be inside because the mosquitoes were vicious. Mike loved to read, do sudoku’s, and crosswords. When we went to Canada he brought me a book. I used to love to read but hadn’t done so In a long time. It was a fantastic book that I couldn’t put down. He told me it was a hard read. I found out why, It was sprinkled with Yiddish words. I had to laugh and told him I could see why it would be a hard read when It had foreign words in it. Yisgadal.

That's how I knew Merch, too, from biking.

He was the guy on Fall Challenge, some 20 years ago, at the motel, sharing the cooler of beer, the day before all the fun.  And then last winter he insisted on dishing my wheel, when I hadn't even known I had a problem.  Merch always showed the best patience and generosity.  

He and we other boys had looked forward to riding a lot more.  He's sorely missed and won't be forgotten.

My most sincere condolences.

Lynn & Family,
So sorry to read of Mike's passing. Please accept our condolences and know you're in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. With Sympathy and Hugs, Steve & Cheryl (Jones) Hiller

Dear Lauren, Carol, Paul and Family
I'm sorry to hear of Mike's passing. Please know that I'm thinking of you and yours. 
Prayers for comfort, 
Jolene McClure

Merch was a great friend and always giving.  I will miss him dearly and remember him every time I ride my bicycle.  

Dear Lynn and Neil,
   My sincere condolences upon hearing that "Uncle Mike" had passed.
I am certain he will be missed by many.
We always loved Mike and your family.
Don Gray

Sending our condolences. He was a great guy, a hard worker. We appreciate all the time we spent hunting and fishing and biking. He lived a great life and shared his joy of the outdoors. Sincerely - Paul Becky and Nick Chatel

Mike was a great friend to many people. We enjoyed hunting with him and biking and just an all-around great guy. Such a hard worker  and  he lived the good life - Sending our condolences. Paul Becky Nick and Teresa CHATEL

 
 
I’ve always been proud of you, Mike.  You have accomplished many things in your life.  Your life with Lynn, your son, Neil, your friends, your work ethic.  The way you adjusted to a complete change in lifestyle, and seemed to thrive, when we moved to the farm as teenagers really amazed me as your older sister struggling to fit in.  But, I think your hobbies amazed me the most.  Most of us choose to relax on the weekends, reading books, possibly doing some gardening.  But you, no, that’s way too tame.  You chose to go on bike rides that take all day.  You chose to go mountain biking (and break your femur).  When you participated in GOBA, on the day off when most people sit around and sleep, not you.  You go on the optional 100 mile ride!  And, of course, when you graduated from Ohio State, instead of taking a break or starting a new job, you went on an epic bike ride around the country for 6 months!
 
You and I were at Ohio State together for awhile in the early 70’s, our college experiences overlapping a bit.  You and I both lived in Ohio State’s Scholarship Dorms because they were cheaper than the regular dorms.  Mine was a big old Victorian house on 16th Avenue with about 25 girls.  Your’s was the Ohio State football stadium with about 350 guys.  For those who don’t know, when you live at a scholarship dorm at OSU, you are expected to help pay your way by working at the residence.  The jobs I did were washing dishes, cleaning bathrooms, and helping serve meals.  Your job was director of the Music Room!  Even though I knew you loved music, and that was the perfect job for you, I was a little jealous.
 
Once in awhile, while we both were at OSU, we would meet up and get pizza and a beer.  You were planning on getting a degree in Sociology.  At one of those pizza and beer sessions, being the older sister thinking you might need some guidance, I asked you what you intended to do with a Sociology degree.  With a straight face, you said, “I’m thinking about being a


AVIS DE DÉCÈS

James Jay (Mike) Merchant

1 novembre 1952 – 11 août 2022

Schoedinger Northwest

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