James Richard Merriman Sr., 75, passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2022. Family will host a visitation from 6-8 pm Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 am Friday, July 22, 2022 at Coggin Ave Baptist Church, with interment to follow at Greenleaf Cemetery.
Jim was born on December 27, 1946 in Amarillo, TX to Bill J. and Oma Mae Merriman. He attended school in Amarillo until 1963 when the family moved to Brownwood, TX. He played football and placed 1st at state in Choir as a Bass 1. After completing high school in 1965, he attended Texas Tech University and graduated with a Bachelors in Business Administration in 1969. While attending Texas Tech he married his high school sweetheart, Mona K Wilson on November 23, 1966. After graduation Jim was employed by Campbell Soup Company in Paris, TX as a Product Supervisor from 1969 through 1973. On December 1, 1969 he was drafted into the US Army. From May of 1970 through July 4, 1971, he served in the S-1, 2nd BN 1st Infantry in the Vietnam War where he earned the Bronze Star.
On June 15, 1972, Jim and Mona K welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth into their lives. It wasn’t a year later they moved to Brownwood where Jim accepted a position as a Project Manager at Lydick Roofing Company. On March 28, 1976 they welcomed their son Jimmy into their family. Jim eventually worked his way up in the company as the president until his retirement on December 31, 2012.
Jim was an avid fisherman (Member of the Bass Club), as well as hunter. He made many of his lifelong friendships with these activities over the years and loved spending weekends at the hunting camp. He loved sharing his outdoor passions with his two kids from Father and Child Fishing Tournaments to spending weekends out at the deer lease. He taught them about the outdoors, which they loved exploring with him. He most enjoyed family vacations to Colorado, staying in cabins in the woods, fly fishing and occasionally playing a round of golf. He and his brother Nick always raced to buy out the nearest fly shop before the other one. Jim taught his kids, his son-in-law Lance and his grandkids how to catch trout. In fact, he taught them all how to fish period.
Another great talent Jim had was perfecting the grilled steak. Just ask any of the family or his buddies at the hunting camp. He taught his son-in-law who kept up the Saturday night tradition until his passing.
Jim stayed very active throughout his life until he became ill. His family meant the world to him and they enjoyed over 20 years of living out at the lake. He enjoyed teaching his grandkids how to fish, throw rocks into the lake and pulling them on a tube for hours. He never got tired of watching them swing in the hammock or getting the golf cart stuck on a dirt trail.
Jim passed peacefully surrounded by family.
Jim was a member of the Coggin Ave Baptist Church, former member of the Brownwood Bass Club and former President of the Board for Brownwood Country Club.
Jim is Survived by his daughter Elizabeth Gowens and husband Lance of Lubbock, TX; granddaughters, Hailey and Shelby Gowens of Lubbock, Cerys Merriman and Tilden Saucillo of Raleigh, NC; stepson Zack Haynes of Bangs, TX; brothers, Nick Merriman of Brownwood and Dan Merriman and wife Jennifer of Eagle, ID; sister Janie Leeth and husband Richard of Wichita, KS.
He was preceded in death by his son James “Jimmy” Merriman on April 2, 2015 and his parents Bill J Merriman and Oma Mae Merriman.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Brownwood Sr Citizens Center, the American Cancer Society or Good Samaritan
Condolences, memories and tributes can be offered to the family online at heartlandfuneralhome.net
