Dad's Obit

Writing a parent's obituary is much harder than you think, but Kelli and I managed to muscle through it ....

Leslie (Les) Eugene Merrill, age 76, of Yorba Linda, California, passed away April 6, 2012 in Nephi, Utah, after a brief loss of independence due to dementia.  We will dearly miss his contagious laugh, Merrill wit, brightly colored glasses, crazy tennis shoes and perfect jazz rhythms. The world is a little lonelier now with one less Merrill brother, father and friend.

Dad was born October 14, 1935 in Logan, Utah to Beena D. Peterson and Wendell William Merrill. Always a Logan boy at heart, he graduated from Logan High School (1954), and Utah State University with a Bachelor’s of Science (1962) and Master’s of Music (1968).  He served in the army for two years.

Dad married, Lynne Elaine Hamilton (deceased), on a weekend whim, August 31, 1963 in Las Vegas Nevada. After years with empty arms their family was complete with the birth of twin daughters in 1974.

Dad’s life long love of music, especially jazz percussion, led to successful careers in both teaching and performance. A public educator for 40 years teaching at Santiago High School, Santa Ana College, and Cypress College in Southern California. He taught thousands of students to love music. He found great delight later in his music career as a long time adjudicator at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.  He also enjoyed tennis, skiing, sightseeing, travel, and could almost always be found with a camera around his neck.

Survived by twin daughters: Robin (Grant) Kramer of Courtenay, BC, Canada and Kelli (Jason) Stilson of Nephi, UT, brother: John (Beverly) Merrill of Bakersfield, CA, and grandchildren: Holly, Bailey, Madison, Alex, Dallyn, Zachary, and Mya, sister-in-laws: Ardella Merrill of Logan, UT and Alice Merrill Simonsen of Salt Lake City, UT.

Proceeded in death by his sister Ollie Jean, brothers William, Peter, and Robert, his mother and father.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 14^th, 2012 at 11am in the Nephi 1^st Ward LDS Ward Chapel 222 S. 100 E., Nephi, UT.  A viewing will be held one hour prior. Internment will follow at the Nephi City Cemetery 400 N. 400 E.  Funeral arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank the medical staff of Central Valley Medical Center and Heritage Hills Care Center but especially Dr. Rasmussen and Central Valley Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.