John D. Merrill Jr., 75, of Milliken, Colorado, passed away Sunday, January 30, 2022 at his home. He was born April 30, 1946 in Greenville, South Carolina to John D. Merrill Sr. and Hazel (Rampey) Merrill.
John graduated from Parker High School in 1964 and from Clemson University with a Bachelors Degree in Economics in 1968. John was the first of his family to graduate college. He moved to Colorado Springs when the Army called him. He served in the Army for six years, achieving the rank of SGT before being honorably discharged. Afterwards, John worked as a Power Tools Salesman, traveling extensively all around the country and achieving many milestones, and then at the Selective Service Board of Colorado Springs, where he spent 15 years of loyal and faithful service in the administration of the Selective Service system.
John met his wife and love of his life, Viola Ann Gomez, in Colorado Springs. On August 5, 1972, they were married in Greeley.
John was a member of the Clemson University Alumni Association and he was a Royal Rangers Leader.
John enjoyed coffee, wood carving, traveling the countryside, trivia and spending time with his grandkids and family was his true passion in life.
John was blessed with two kids, grandkids and a loving family. He is survived by daughter, Jessica Ann Counts of Greeley; son, John Mark Merrill of Bigfork, Montana; sister, Martha Ann Farrow of Simpsonville, South Carolina; brothers, James M. Merrill (Beth) of Spartanburg, South Carolina and Joseph Steven Merrill (Katherine) and Phillip L. Merrill both of Greenville, South Carolina; grandkids, Jayden Merrill, Keira Merrill, Lily Counts, Viola Counts and Aiyana Counts; eight nieces; two nephews and 23 grandnieces and grandnephews.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, wife, Viola Merrill, mother, Hazel Merrill and father, John Merrill Sr.
A visitation will be from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2022 followed by a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. both at Stoddard Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
