Merdell "Mac" Lois Cozart

He was a conscientious and dedicated employee of Minyard’s Food Stores for over 50 years where he received numerous merit awards. After retirement, he started his second career as a farmer taking care of his chickens, cattle, and fish. His farm animals were more like his pets and were spoiled appropriately. The cows would come up to him to be petted and his favorite chickens had names. He loved the outdoors and excelled at operating the John Deere. He was also well known for his wonderful vegetables produced from his yearly garden which he shared with all his friends and family. He was always generous. Whatever he had he shared with others.

Merdell served his country in the Air Force from 1949 to 1953 in the 3580th Field Maintenance Squadron where he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

One of his favorite hobbies was fishing. He ran trot lines in Lake Ray Hubbard for years and on occasion came home with some really large catfish with his largest weighing in at over 80 pounds. In his later years he went from catching fish to feeding the fish he stocked in the pond. The fish would hear him coming on the 4-wheeler with the fish food and start heading to the shore to greet him.

Another favorite hobby was slot machines. He loved going to Las Vegas with his wife Margaret playing at the Circus Circus carousel and seeing all the lights and sights. Later on he transferred his destination to Bossier, Louisiana and was known to slip off without any notice. He even liked to play the video slot machines on the iPad. He insisted he didn’t want to learn new technology, but could operate the iPad like a pro.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret Cozart, his parents Hurley and Lela Cozart, and his brother Johnny Jordan.

He is survived by his son Steven Cozart and his wife Jerri, his daughter Janet Davis and her husband Jimmy, and his granddaughter Kaycee Davis.

He is also survived by his wife’s brothers Gleason, Doug, and Jessie and sisters Estelle and Geneva who have been brothers and sisters to him, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 17 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., and Funeral Services will be Thursday, December 18 at 10:00 A.M. at Grove Hill Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Grove Hill Memorial Park.