Franklin Douglas Merritt

Franklin Douglas Merritt went home to be with his Heavenly Father, September 18 following a short illness. Born December 25, 1946 to Lillian and Oscar Merritt in Roanoke Virginia, Frank lived most of his life traveling and observing the world. After graduating from New Castle High School in Craig County Virginia, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman. He retired after 20 years of service and pursued a degree in Environmental Services at East Tennessee State University. Frank cared for the world around him from the vast number of birds above the ground to the geological formations below the ground. He was an avid reader, aspired to be a writer, was a faithful friend and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his father Oscar Merritt and mother Lillian Merritt Sarver, his brother James R. Merritt Sr., and sister Gladys Merritt of Roanoke, Virginia. He is survived by his wife Debbie of Church Hill, Tennessee and her daughter Megan Christian, former wife Evelyn Warren and husband Charles of Orange Park, a daughter Kristie and husband Terry of Middleburg, Florida; a son Allen Merritt and wife Jessica of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren Zarina and Daniel Champagne, Spencer and Stephen Hall, and Jansen and Fallyn Merritt. Also he is survived by a niece Teresa Ann Nester and son, Adam wife, Katherine, nephews James Merritt Jr., son Scott and daughter Ashley, and Roy Merritt and daughters Emily and Lilly and Casey of Roanoke, Virginia.

A Memorial Service is planned Sunday, September 29 at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Florida from 2PM to 4PM. The church is located at 8701 Argyle Forest Boulevard. HOLLY HILL FUNERAL HOME, 3601 Old Jennings Rd, Middleburg, Florida is serving the family of Franklin Douglas Merritt. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hollyhillfunerals.com. His ashes will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.