Merle Bliss Aden

Merle Aden born 1.31.23 to Blanche and Henry Aden in Oregon City. He grew up in Wilsonville where his dad had a general merchandise store for 43 years. Grade school was a 2 room school and he had four kids in this eighth grade graduating class. He then attended West Linn High School where he played basketball and baseball. He graduated in 1939 and then worked in a clothing store in Oregon City for a year before entering the University of Oregon and became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He was also a member of the of the men’s national advertising fraternity Alpha Delta Sigma. After completing his freshman year he was drafted into the Army. After being inducted in Fort Lewis Washington he went to basic training in Camp Roberts California. After that he was sent to Camp Livingston, Louisiana.

Merle was hit by shrapnel from a mortar shell and was sent to a tent hospital in Mindoro, then to Pelalou in the Palu group. From there to Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco. A short stay there and then was sent to Barnes Hospital in Vancouver. He spent several weeks there and after surgery on his left hand was discharged in the fall of 1945.

He then returned to the University of Oregon and there he met the love of his life Marilynn Anderson at an Alpha Chi Omega function. After graduating in 1948 he worked in several men’s clothing stores and was married in May of 1950.

In 1960 he and his partners started Aden & Josi’s Men’s store in Lloyd center and after that at Eastport Plaza and Washington Square. In 1980 he sold out and semi retired working in several men’s stores. In order to stay in shape he did a lot of running with his buddy Clay Carter. He won many medals at the State Games of Oregon in his age bracket.

He was a big sports fan. He attended the World Series in 1965 in Los Angeles, and in 1977 he watched the Portland Trailblazers’ win the Championship. In 1995 he saw the Ducks play Penn State in the Rose Bowl.

He loved seafood, especially Dungeness crab, Oregon shrimp, pan fried oysters and broiled Salmon.

He liked big band music and old Jazz. He spent many Sunday afternoons at the Pops Concert in downtown Portland. His favorite singers were Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.

His favorite vacation places were Palm Springs, Black Butte and Eagle Crest where he played golf and tennis with friends. He enjoyed 12 years at their Manzanita Beach house while the kids were growing up.

He kept running until he was 80 when health problems slowed him to work out in the gym.

He is survived by his wife Marilynn married for 63 years, his son Jeff, wife Leisa, daughter Molly, daughter Sarah, husband Tony and 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Christ United Methodist Church.