Merrill B. Wood

The funeral service will be held at Vinelife Church, 7845 Lookout Road, Longmont, CO 80503 on Saturday, April 19, at 4 pm.

Merrill was born in Lexington Kentucky on June 18, 1920 and was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He grew up in Camden, New Jersey and served his country in World War II in the United States Coast Guard. He was a devout Christian. Merrill signed up for military service one week after Pearl Harbor in 1941 and was assigned to serve on several Navy ships, including the USS George Clymer. He saw action in the Atlantic, the invasion of North Africa, Bougainville, Guadalcanal and the South Pacific. His main duties included operating landing craft and in the ship’s carpentry department. His ship delivered troops and equipment to several locations during the war. He was a lifetime member of the VFW.

Merrill married his beloved wife, Anna B. Wood on April 22, 1944 in Philadelphia, PA. They were married 57 years.

After serving in the United States Coast Guard, Merrill worked as a Machine Designer for FMC Corporation for almost 30 years. He enjoyed carpentry, travelling with his wife Ann, his loving family and his dogs, K Dog, Reno, and Cody. Merrill was an active member at Vinelife Church in Longmont, CO.

Merrill is survived by his three children, Carole Ann Pranger and her husband Alan of Snohomish, WA, Barry Wood and his wife Gail of Erie, Co, and Nancy M. Fitzsimmons and her husband Patrick of Thornton, CO; his grandchildren, Kevin Wood, Natasha Williams, Michael Wood, Kathryn Williams, Justin Pranger and Jennifer Schneider. He had 8 loving great grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Madelyn, Natalie, Hannah, Naomi, Barrett, Luke, and Rowan.

Merrill is preceded in death by his wife, Anna; his son, Joseph; his parents, Robley and Katherine Wood; and his brothers, Edward, Russell and Wilbur Wood and his grandson Bryan Barrett Wood.

Arrangements are made by Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman Street, Longmont, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to TRU Community Care Hospice, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026.