Farrell Godfrey Merrill Obituary (1924 - 2009)

FARRELL GODFREY MERRILL ROY - Farrell Godfrey Merrill, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away April 28, 2009 from cancer. He was born on March 29, 1924, in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, at his grandfather's hotel the "Riverside". He was the son of Paul Revere and Lucy Evelyn (Eva) Merrill. He lived in Logan until he was eight, when his father bought a cafAC. in Preston Idaho. Farrell was a wrestler in high school and was the Idaho State Champion. After completing the tenth grade, he and his best friend sold a car and with the proceeds bought tickets to California. Later he moved back to Preston and with his step-brother-in-law, Preston Struve, bought his father cafAC. and went into business. It was here that he met the love of his life, the beautiful Lois Larson. They married on November 29, 1942 in Preston. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan LDS temple on July 6, 1970. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage. Soon after their marriage, Farrell was drafted into the Navy. He left for basic training February 17, 1943. Lois gave birth to their first son on October 18, 1943. Farrell didn't get to see him until he was almost two years old. Farrell went to culinary school for the Navy in Ames, Iowa. He was the cook on the submarines, the Blue Fin and Bow Fin. He saw combat and was honorably discharged on November 12, 1945. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Pin, the American Area Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and the Sub-Combat Patrol Pin, 1 Star. After the war, he returned to Idaho, where he and Lois had their second son in 1949. They then moved to Logan where he began flying lessons and became a pilot, with over 1000 hours of flight time. At this time he was a cook at the Mt. Logan cafAC.. They moved to Ogden where he was the chef at the Ogden Golf and County Club. He then went to work for Swifts Meats in the first portion cut department, working there for 15 years. After this he went to work as the manager of the Elks Club. Then he worked at DDO as a manager of the officer's club, where he retired in 1989. Farrell and Lois loved to dance and taught in the Arthur Murray school of dance. They were well known for their dancing skills. Farrell was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was a high priest, stake missionary, ward missionary, 2nd Counselor in the bishopric and member of the ward activity committee. He and Lois served an extended mission at the LDS cannery. He is survived by his wife Lois, son, Michael (Julia) and Gregory (Vickie), 10 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Revere Merrill (Paul), his mother Eva Merrill, daughter-in-law, Sidnee Burns Merrill, Allison Merrill, great-granddaughter, brother, Paul Revere Merrill Jr., sister, Evelyn Drusilla Merrill and Shirley Mae Merrill Favero and step-brother Gaylord Gamin Merrill. The family would like to thank Hospice Community nursing service, Robert, Amber, Lexey and all the others for their countless hours of tender care. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the LDS Perpetual Education fund or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m., at Monte Vista Ward Chapel, 5127 South 2400 West, Roy, Utah. Friends and Family may call on Sunday, May 3, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Myers Roy Mortuary, 5865 South 1900 West, Roy, Utah and on Monday from 9:45 - 10:45, prior to services at the church. Interment in the Roy City Cemetery. Send condolences to family at www.myers-mortuary.com. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Roy 5865 South 1900 West Roy, UT 84067 May 3, 2009 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceMonte Vista Ward 5127 South 2400 West Roy, UT 84067 May 4, 2009 11:00 AM CemeteryRoy City Cemetery 5200 South 2300 West Roy, UT 84067 May 4, 2009 12:30 PM