Duane Robert Merrell

Duane Robert Merrell, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully in his sleep during the early morning hours of September 6, 2025, at the age of 68. A devoted family man and out-of-the-box thinker, he delighted friends and strangers alike with his offbeat humor and contagious joy.

Duane was born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 18, 1956, to Maynard Oren Merrell and Elizabeth ("Bette") Barbara Merrell. He graduated in 1975 from Harrison High School, where he met his first wife, Catherine Salter (now Catherine Lloyd), before attending the University of Michigan, where he received a B.S. in Civil Engineering degree in 1979. Duane and Cathy married in 1976, and eventually relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where they raised two sons.

First licensed in Florida in 1985, Duane served for four decades as a structural engineer in the region, working on bridges, heavy foundations, sign trusses, traffic signal mast arms, retaining walls, bulkheads and related infrastructure.

In 1993, Duane remarried Carol Lea Cartwright, and together with her two children, their blended family relocated from Jacksonville's Avondale neighborhood to Mandarin. They were members of the Moose Lodge and the Elks Club, as well as pop-up camping clubs. Carol passed away in 2021, after 28 years of marriage.

In 2002, he founded Merrell Engineering, P.L., a small structural engineering firm.

He is survived by his children, Brian Merrell (Lauren), Billy Merrell (Nico), Robert Krawczyk (Lauren), and Rosemary Lea Sergent (née Krawczyk, Dennis); and his grandchildren, Peighton Merrell, Gavin Merrell, and Stephanie Sergent. He is also survived by his brothers, Mark Merrell and Lance Merrell.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home on San Jose Boulevard, on September 27, 2025, at 1:00 pm, followed by a private reception.