Roll Call Tribute

Carl G. Merrell

August 11, 1936 - November 7, 2022

Carl G. Merrell, 86, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on November 7, 2022, in Phoenix, AZ. An only child, he was born to Irene and Carl “CN” Merrell on August 11, 1936, in Seymour, TX.

He was raised in Mineral Wells, TX and graduated from Mineral Wells High School in 1954. He went on to study at Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corp of Cadets and a student athletic trainer for the Texas Aggies football team coached by Paul “Bear” Bryant. In 1959 he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M University.

As an Aggie graduate, Carl was required to participate in military training for 6 months at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. This was home of the United States Army Armor Center; training soldiers on the “tank of the day”.

After training, Carl moved to Dallas, Texas, where he worked for a lumber company. He met Saralou Goldtrap, whom he married on November 24, 1960, in Mineral Wells, TX. Carl went to work for Alenco, an aluminum window manufacturer. After being married only 9 months, Carl was called to service as a member of the Texas National Guard and sent to Ft. Polk, Louisiana for the Berlin Crisis. This lasted 1 year. Carl returned to Texas and resumed working at Alenco for the next 12 years. In 1973, the family moved to Phoenix, AZ and Carl became a stockbroker. He retired in 2003 after a 30-year career as a stockbroker in Sun City, AZ, serving as both a vice president and manager for several brokerage firms.

Carl was active in the community: Orangewood Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis Club of Sun City, The Association of Former Students, Heard Museum, VNSA Book Sale, Valley Presbyterian Church and ICM Food & Clothing Bank.

Carl is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Saralou; his only child, Cristina (Andrew) Hatton; and his two grandchildren, Merrell and Craig.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 23, at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel at Valley Presbyterian Church 6947 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley or the Alzheimer’s Association.