Frederick William Merkert Jr.

He was born in Jamaica, New York on December 19th, 1943 to Hazel Garner Merkert and Frederick W. Merkert, Sr. He graduated from Wantagh High School in 1961. After working locally, Fred served in the United States Army on active duty from 1963 to 1965 and reserve duty to 1969. When his family moved to Freeport, Long Island, he joined the Freeport Fire Department, becoming a driver of their 85 foot Hook and Ladder Fire Truck for Truck Company #1.

Frederick attended Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York from 1966 to 1968, graduating with an Associates Degree in Marketing. It was there he met his future wife, Patricia Merritt, in August 1968. They married on Valentine’s Day 1970 at the Farmingdale Baptist Church on Long Island. He worked for Allstate Insurance and as an adjuster for the General Adjustment Bureau until he was called into the gospel ministry. This led to completing a Bachelors Degree in Psychology at Queens College of the City University of New York in 1973, followed by a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1976. After serving as Youth Pastor at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Fred accepted the call as Pastor of Chambersburg Baptist Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. During this time Fred and Pat welcomed their son, Greg into the world. Fred also taught preaching courses through the Keystone Baptist Association as well as earning a Doctorate of Ministry Degree from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida.

After a short time with the Foreign Mission Board, Fred and Pat relocated to Winston-Salem, North Carolina near Fred’s family where Fred served as pastor of Westview Baptist Church as well as hospital chaplain and police chaplain. Fred’s most fulfilling role was working with police officers. He was an excellent counselor and understood their unique personal challenges, enabling him to provide much family and spiritual support.

In 1993 Fred and family moved to San Antonio, Texas near Pat’s family. Fred did spend time as a volunteer police chaplain for the San Antonio Police Department. After some years working in the pest control industry, in 2001 he experienced debilitating PTSD. In 2021 he was also diagnosed with dementia. Fred's family cared for him at home for many years with the support of the Veterans Administration. Fred touched many lives and was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick W. Merkert, Sr. and Hazel Merkert.

Fred is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Merkert,and son Gregory Merkert and his wife, Charity, grandchildren Johnathan, Ashley and Justin, sister-in-law, Esther Worsham and husband Donald and niece, Karen Glenn and her children, Elizabeth and Colton, all of San Antonio, as well as niece Pamela Merritt of Houston, TX, and his sister Dianne Prout and husband Nick of Roanoke, VA, and many other much loved friends.