Calvin C. Merritt

© Durant Daily Democrat

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Calvin C. Merritt was born Friday, February 4, 1927, in Ambrose, Texas to V. M. and Minnie Nugent Merritt. He passed away Monday, February 4, 2009, in Durant at the age of 81.

Calvin served in the Occupation Force in Japan. His tour ended February 9, 1947. He then joined the 45th Infantry Division Oklahoma National Guard while also attending SOSU. When the Division was mobilized he was stationed at Hokkaido, Japan, then active duty in Korea where he spent 43 days on the front line.

Calvin married Zelda Koonce on December 20, 1952.

He is the father of two children, Debra Marie and Ronnie Clint. Calvin was a devoted husband and father.

He retired as service manager at the Ford Dealership and was of the Baptist faith.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his father and mother-in-law, Floyd "Bud" and Mildred Koonce.

He is survived by his wife, Zelda of the home; daughter, Debra Merritt of Durant; son, Ronnie Merritt and wife Traci of Calera; grandchildren, Shelby and Kyle Merritt of Calera; sisters, Ellis Diehl of Calera and Oklalena Harris and husband J.V. of Waggoner, Oklahoma; brothers, Hubert Merritt and wife Jan of Arizona and Elmer Merritt and wife Margie of Virginia; sister-in-law, Margaret Koonce Pigg and husband Cleo of Durant and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Dalton-Holmes Funeral Chapel in Durant. Nephew Dale Pigg of Dallas, Texas, will be officiating.

Interment will be at Highland Cemetery in Durant.

Family visitation will be today from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Dalton-Holmes Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Dale Pigg, Robert Story, Tommy Mote, Eric Giles, Steven Cox and Aaron Walkup. Honorary pallbearers include Kenneth Pigg.

Condolences may be sent to the family at dhfh@communicomm.com.

Dalton-Holmes Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Thank You For Your Service!

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