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Roll Call Tribute

Merrill Smith '40 January 23, 2015 9:55 AM

Published in TheNewOrleans(LA)Advocate.com from Jan. 22 to Jan. 24, 2015

Merrill Smith
Departed this life in Austin, Texas and went to be with his Lord on January 9, 2015. He was 95 years young. He formerly made his home in New Orleans. He is the only child of Emma Virginia Lay and Vance Hutchinson Smith. Unfortunately all his immediate family predeceased him; his parents, wife Catherine Virginia Callender, daughters Sharon Kay Smith Redman (husband Roy A.) and Catherine Virginia Smith McDowell (former husband John McDowell), and son Vance Richard Smith; and grandchild Brian Charles Redman. He is survived by grandchildren, Caroline Elizabeth Ortega Medlin, Robert Merrill Redman, Sean Benjamin Redman, Ian Nathaniel McDowell, and Christopher Andrew McDowell, and great grandchild Aaron Homero Ortega. Merrill was born and raised in Lockhart, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M where he was a proud member of the Aggie Band, as a trumpeter, and of the Army Corps. After graduation he served his country from August 4, 1941 to April 19, 1946, in WWII in the South Pacific, Southwest Pacific, Philippines, and Bougainville. He was an officer (second lieutenant promoted to captain) in the 120th Ordinance Company, Medium Maintenance Co., 14th Army Corps. and he was awarded the Bronze Star. Thereafter he was an engineer for Texaco and then Chevron, before retirement. Throughout his life Merrill was an excellent bass singer both as a soloist and a choir member. While he was always a member of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, he attended Baptist church with his wife and sang at many Baptist services. He helped form Faith Baptist Church of New Orleans. Merrill was a kind, gentle man who dearly loved his God, his wife, his children and his country. He was respected and loved in return. He is well known for his booming, resounding bass Happy Birthday "AND MANY MORE!!" He will be greatly missed. He will be remembered and honored on Sunday, January 25, at Faith Baptist Church's 11 am regular Sunday service, 7902 S. Claiborne Ave., New Orleans. On March 22, he will be buried along-side of with his wife at Lockhart Municipal Burial Park with a small family ceremony to follow. Please no flowers and any desired donations may be made to the charity of your choice .


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