Kenneth Weiland Merritt

Kenneth Weiland "Chub" Kenneth W. "Chub" Merritt died October 8, 2018. Chub was born in Marshall, Texas on September 11, 1925, to Wendell Charles Merritt and Alice Weiland Merritt. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and the University of Texas, class of 1947. Chub received his unique nickname from his beloved Phi Delta Theta fraternity at The University of Texas while as a Phikeia "pledge". He was responsible for saving seats at Memorial Stadium for a UT football game. A spectator sat down in the section that Chub was saving. After his bodily removal of the intruder, a reporter for the Dailey Texan published the story of a "chubby" Phi Delt causing an altercation at the stadium and the name stuck. Chub went on to be elected President of the fraternity in 1945. Prior to military service Chub played football for The University in 1943 and 1944; earning "letterman" status in 1944, playing alongside Longhorn greats Bobby Layne and Hub Bechtol. Lieutenant Kenneth W. Merritt served in the United States Navy Third Fleet on ship LCI (G) 70, call sign "Drano-Zero" and known as "The Unsinkable 70". He shipped out of San Diego in 1945 and received battle stars for actions in the Borneo Operation-Brunei Bay in the South West Pacific area. He was honorably discharged in Austin, 1956. Chub was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a decent, honest man; an avid golfer at Brook Hollow Golf Club for over 50 years, expert at gin rummy, lucky at backgammon, best shot with his ancient 16 gauge pump shotgun, bass fisherman extraordinaire, a wonderful dancer, and had a wealth of friends. And he made us all laugh especially with his "Chubisms". He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Wendell Charles Merritt, Jr. and the loves of his life, Kay Keoun Merritt, the mother of his children who passed from lung cancer in 1990 and Carolyn "Toddy" Harrell Merritt. He is survived by his three children and their spouses: Randall Charles Merritt, and wife Julia Abell Merritt; Thomas Keoun Merritt, and wife Madeline Gray Merritt and Michael George Merritt, and his wife Catherine Morrow Merritt; four grandchildren: Robert Staacke Merritt, William Weiland Merritt, Christopher Forbes Merritt and Kay Elizabeth Merritt. We are particularly grateful for Toddy's children, Jahn York Lafitte and Julie York for their continued love and support. The Memorial service will be held at 2:00, Friday October 12, in the Chapel of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas. There will be a private family burial preceding the service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Chub's name to the SPCA of Texas, [email protected] or a charity of your choice.