Jack Merritt Jr.

.Lt. Col. (USAF ret.) Jack Merritt, Jr., went home to His Savior and Lord on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at his home in Oklahoma City. He was born on October 6, 1923, near Maysville, OK, to Pierce Latimer and Reta Erwin Merritt. He graduated from Maysville High School in 1941 and the University of Oklahoma in 1959 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. Jack was a member of the Greatest Generation, serving his country during World War II as a B-24 bombardier-navigator with the 467th BG, 790th Sq. of the Mighty 8th Air Force, stationed at Rackheath, England. He completed 30 successful missions, including two on D-Day. Following his wartime service, Jack joined the newly formed United States Air Force and graduated from pilot training class 49B at Williams AFB, AZ. He served as a command pilot, pilot instructor, and logistics officer in the USAF, retiring after more than 27 years of service in Korea, the Philippines, Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Ohio, and many TDYs around the world. Jack married the love of his life, Martha Paulene Morgan, on March 7, 1951, at Shaw AFB in Sumter, SC, and they enjoyed almost 57 years together; she predeceased him in 2008. He is survived by a daughter, Paula Corley, and her husband, Stuart, of OKC; a son, Jack Merritt, of OKC; three grandchildren: Laura McCary and her husband, Caleb, of Burden, KS; Sarah Corley, Washington, DC; and Mary Corley, OKC; a great-grandson, Liam McCary; a second great-grandson to be born in September; a sister-in-law, Barbara Preston, and her husband, Carl Dean, Arapaho, OK; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Jack was the world’s best son, husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather, a faithful and loving friend, and an active and beloved member of Quail Springs Baptist Church. He will be sorely and deeply missed. Visitation will be from 12 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2013, at Guardian West Funeral Home, with family present from 4 to 6 p.m. Following a private family entombment, a memorial service will be held at Quail Springs Baptist Church on Monday, July 22, 2013, at 2 p.m. The family suggests that donations in Jack’s memory be made to the Quail Springs Baptist Church building fund to support and honor the church he loved.