Frederick John Merritt

Fred John Merritt was born to John and Willie Gene Merritt on August 4, 1953, in Tifton, Georgia. Fred was the third of four boys. He grew up in rural America playing high school football, hunting, and fishing. During high school he ventured out to California where he experienced the oil production business, and other minor jobs. Returning to Tifton in 1972, he accepted employment with Tifton Aluminum Company.

Fred left Tifton Aluminum Company for service in the United States Army. His initial period of service lasted for almost three years. During this period, Fred completed Basic Combat Training and Military Police Corps training at Fort McClellan, Alabama and was assigned to Germany. He had a break in service when his father became very ill, and his mother and father needed assistance. Fred left the Army to support his parents in Tifton. When this crisis had passed, Fred again returned to the service of his Nation and was the assigned to a post at Fort Hamilton, New York. There, he met his bride-to-be, Maureen. After their marriage in 1981, Fred left the Army and moved to Georgia where he remained for the rest of his life.

His non-military jobs included Deputy Sheriff in Tift County, Georgia; Police Officer at Southern Polytech in Marietta, Georgia; and, Professional Security Officer with Lockheed-Martin Corporation in Marietta, Georgia, He retired from Lockheed in 2019 to spend more time with family and to enjoy his passion for hunting.

Fred is survived by his wife Maureen; one daughter, Meghan/Rob (Acworth, Georgia), and one son, Michael/Markie (Dallas, Georgia). Also, three grandchildren- one grandson, Wade and two granddaughters, Leanne and Maeve, He is also survived by his three brothers Bob/Linda, Marcus/Karen, and David/Shelia. Also, two brothers in law, Edward Flynn/Cecilia (Norwalk, Connecticut), and Stephen Flynn/Cathy and their daughter, Kriston (Yonkers, New York). Fred was predeceased by both his parents, John and Willie Gene Merritt of Tifton, Georgia and by Maureen's parents, Ed and Marie Flynn of Yonkers, New York.

Loved by his family, his church, and his many friends, Fred leaves this earth better than he found it with dedicated service to our nation, multiple police departments, and his family. We suspect that perhaps his only uncompleted wish was that he had been able to spend even more time at his hunt club near Sparta, Georgia. Sadly, COVID and diabetes stole that time from him. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Donations can also be made by accessing www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

A visitation for Fred will be held Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home, 2950 North Cobb Pkwy, Kennesaw, GA 30152. A second visitation will occur Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The funeral mass will occur Monday, December 4, 2023, at 11:30 AM at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1618 Ben King Rd, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Fred's graveside service will occur Monday, December 4, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, Georgia 30194.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, or by accessing their website at www.woundedwarriorjroject.org