of Richmond, VA

July 22, 1955 - June 15, 2023

Harold "Dean" Eugene Merritt, age 67, of Richmond, Virginia passed away peacefully on June 15, 2023 leaving his life on earth for a new home in Heaven, where he will seek answers to his many questions. Dean gave in death as he gave in life, he was an organ donor and he has already given the gift of life to at least one other person.

Dean was born on July 22, 1955 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. A graduate of Westside High School in Jonesboro, he left Arkansas in August 1974 after he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Dean proudly served in an IT capacity for five years and eventually found himself stationed at the Pentagon, where he spent his days, in his own words, "stomping cockroaches". Dean was a lifelong believer in freedom and loved to help his fellow man navigate their government. After he was honorably discharged from duty, Dean maintained his career in the IT industry through the late 90s, before he became the longtime owner and operator of Merritt's Run, a trucking business. In his earlier life, Dean was active with Amway and its positive messaging shaped the way he saw the world and his decisions as a father. Dean, a self-styled engineer, had a kind heart, a joyful spirit, a wonderful sense of humor and a dream of owning the "Big House".

Dean leaves behind his loving wife of 25 years, Marjorie Harvey Merritt. They worked together at Verizon for two and a half years. He became her knight on a shiny motorcycle when he rescued her from many difficult months of breast cancer treatments and married her before she was an "old maid" at 50. He was a dutiful son-in-law, helping Marjie and her brothers through their mother's Alzheimer's years.

Dean was preceded in death by his father, Herchel Merritt; his stepfather, Trannie Vanhoozer; his brothers, Richard Merritt and Wayne Dobbs; his brother-in-law, Jerry Bishop and his niece, Jennifer Bishop.

Dean is survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Mary Jo Merritt Barnes; his children, Angela "Dawn" (William) Craig, Wendy (Shay) Merritt, Kimberley Merritt and Christofer (Staci) Merritt and his grandchildren, Tori, Belle, Jeremiah and Jonnie Craig, Hannah and Isaac Phillips and Ethan and Dylan Merritt. He is also survived by his mother, Ruby Belle Vanhoozer; his sisters, Virginia Bishop and Tammie (Brian) Fowler and his many other relatives and friends.

Dean's funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 24 at the Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Arkansas, with Dick Blackford officiating, followed by his burial at Cash Cemetery, in Cash, Arkansas. A celebration of Dean's life is planned for a later date in Richmond, Virginia.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home
1900 West Washington Ave.
Jonesboro, AR  72401
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com