Jack Theron Merkle

Jack Theron Merkle was born on February 12, 1954 in Franklin, Indiana and passed away February 26, 2021 in Pensacola, Florida. Jack grew up in Aiken, South Carolina and he joined the Navy soon after high school. He became an Aviation Electrician and, during his Naval career, he would teach Advanced Electronics at the C1 School in Pensacola, Florida, first as an active duty instructor, and then as a civilian. Jack had a gift for teaching and also taught at the Prime Power School for the Army Corps of Engineers as a civil service employee at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and later at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. Having a great zest for life and accomplishing things, Jack pursued opening a business and owned an Automotive shop in town until it had to close its doors after Hurricane Ivan. Always the man who thinks things through, Jack wanted to make things better for his family. While fighting Cancer, he always worked and kept his great attitude about life and people. Jack could always tell a good joke and laugh at it like he was hearing it for the first time. Jack was also known as "Dude" and was never a stranger to anyone, whether he just met them or had known them for a long time. Always young at heart, Jack naturally showed his love for his grandkids, cars, motorcycles and Marilyn. He will truly be missed.