Dennis Raymond Merrick Sr.

Dennis Raymond Merrick Sr., 73, of Lueders, TX passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Graveside funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at the Eula Cemetery in Callahan County, Texas. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from 5 until 6 p.m.

Dennis Raymond Merrick was born January 13, 1950, to Clarence and Ila Mae (Lockley) Merrick in Harlingen, TX. Dennis passed from this life on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at the age of 73.

Dennis attended school in Abilene earning his high school diploma through GED studies. He continued his education at Cisco Junior College where he studied welding. Dennis spent time in Viet Nam during his tour of duty in the Army from August 30, 1968 to June 23, 1971.

When Dennis returned to Abilene, he began working in the trucking industry making it his lifelong career. The 47-year union of Dennis and Annette Gilbert began on June 11, 1976, in Abilene, TX.

Dennis was a Christian man who placed importance in living his life by his faith.  His faith in God was first in his life and being a devoted husband, father and Papa were his second priority. Dennis loved people, liked to talk, and tell stories. He was a man of courage and was audaciously bold in some of his adventurous choices. Dennis moved his family to Copper Center, Alaska and built a cabin off the grid for their home with no running water or heat source. The family would haul water to the cabin and Dennis would spend the summer cutting wood to burn as their only winter heat source. He lived off the land as an outdoorsman hunting and fishing. He was proficient enough at fishing that he was once a professional angler.

Preceding Dennis in death were his parents, Clarence and Ila Mae Merrick, and his sister Charlotte Badgett.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Annette Merrick of Lueders, TX; 8 children: David Stickney of Abilene, TX, Daniel Stickney of Sioux City, IA, Dennis Merrick, Jr. of Lueders, TX, Richard Wayne Clark of Stamford, TX, Rebekah McCarter of Brownwood, TX, Matthew Merick and wife Delila of Hawley, TX, Merilu Pratt of Abilene, TX and Sarah Mulholland and husband Eric of Lueders, TX; 1 sister, Valarie Hamilton of Dallas, TX; 13 grandchildren,John Stickney, Elias Stickney, Kristen Clark, John Allen, Amber Merrick, Skyler Merrick, Miracle Merrick, Montana McCarter, Levi McCarter, Erica Ameen, Addison Thompson, Paul Stickney, and Mayzee Merrick, 3 great grandchildren, Jaxon Ameen, Jozlyn Thompson, and Hazel Thompson and numerous other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be at Tankersley Funeral Home, 807 Columbia, Stamford, TX Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 5 to 6 p.m. Graveside Services will be Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Eula Cemetery in Eula, TX under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home.