Gerald (Jerry) Merrick, 64, of Decatur, died on Monday, July 17, 2006, in Decatur, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, July 21, 2006 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel Big Spring with Rev. Jimmy Withers, pastor of Aurora Baptist Church of Decatur, officiating and Derrick Looney, pastor of Forsan Baptist Church, assisting. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park Big Spring.He was born on May 8, 1942, in Big Spring, Texas.Gerald was raised in Ackerly and graduated from Ackerly High School. He served in the Army National Guard and had attended OSC Training School. He served as a tank commander as a 2nd lieutenant. Jerry had farmed in the Ackerly area for many years until 1975 when he moved to Plainview. He owned and operated Merrick Cattle Company for five years in Big Spring and Plainview. He had lived in the Decatur and Bridgeport area for the last ten years where he worked for W.W. Webber Construction Comapny as superintendent of road construction. Jerry enjoyed fishing, hunting and any type of aircraft. He was a member of Aurora Baptist Church of Decatur, Texas.Survivors include his daughter, LeAnn McNutt of Plainview; his son, Bryan Merrick of Plainview; his parents, R. A. and Mamie Lee Merrick of Ackerly; his fiancee, Frances Brenda Ferguson of Boyd; three sisters, Joyce Turner of Ropesville, Julie Merrick of Lubbock, and Jo Nell Rowlett of Bedford; four brothers, Jimmy Merrick of Amarillo; Johnny Merrick of Ackerly, Jackie Merrick of Mesquite, and Jake Merrick of Hinton, Oklahoma; and two grandchildren.The family suggests memorials be made to the Martin County Emergency Medical Service of Ackerly, PO Box 67, Ackerly, Texas 79713.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
