His family moved to Porterville, California, where he met his high school sweetheart, Bette Schwartz. They married on August 28, 1965, and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.
He graduated from Fresno State College with a degree in civil engineering and worked for Allied Paving and the U.S. Forest Service. In 1970, he joined Rabe Engineering and eventually became the owner of that company.
He enjoyed many activities, including woodworking, fly fishing, participating in motorcycle endurance races, glamping in their motorhome, flying his Beechcraft Bonanza, meteorology, restoring motorcycles and cars, listening to his favorite music, and building model airplanes. He loved going to Lifegroup, Bible study at Trinity Community Church, and getting together with dear friends. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family at home and on vacations.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Mary Merrill, and brother Brian Merrill. He is survived by his wife, Bette, children Jennifer and Derek, granddaughter Abigail, his sister Pat Parker, and several nephews and nieces.
A graveside service for Gregory will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 N Teilman Ave, Fresno, CA 93706.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Greg’s name may be made to Trinity Community Church, 12168 N. Willow Ave, Clovis, CA 93619 or The Salvation Army, 1914 Fulton Street, Fresno, CA 93721
