Mark Bruce Merritt

Mark Merritt died June 1, 2013 after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was 54 years old. The end of his life on earth marks a new beginning for his eternal life in heaven because he was a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. The family will receive friends on Monday, June 3, 2013 from 5:30-7:30PM at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Memorial services will be on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 11:00AM at First Baptist Church in Midland. Mark was born July 28, 1958 in Dimmitt, TX to Glenn and Mona Brock Merritt. He graduated from Dimmitt High School in 1976 and from Texas Tech University in 1980. Mark then took a job with Union Oil of California in Midland as an engineer where he worked for five years. He accepted a position with Henry Engineering, later Fasken Oil and Ranch. He had worked for Fasken for almost 29 years. Mark loved his work and was thankful for the organization with which he worked.Mark married Kay Street Merritt on June 2, 1979 in Dimmitt, Texas. Mark and Kay shared life together for 34 years. Their greatest blessings were their daughters, Lori Paige Merritt Blong and Leslie Brooke Merritt Vanderland. Mark provided his children consistent examples of living life with integrity and faith in Christ. He was proud of the women they have become.Mark was a member of the First Baptist Church of Midland where he served as Sunday School teacher, deacon, and committee member. He was a past board member and chairman of the board for Midland Habitat for Humanity, current president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and Independent Petroleum Association of America. Service to others was important to Mark and he was a committed giver of his time and resources, both in his local church and the community. He was also committed to furthering missions and the spread of the Gospel and gave much of his time and energy to the Missions Committee of First Baptist Church and to personal participation in many different missions efforts.Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Mona Merritt. He is survived by his wife, Kay, of Midland. He is also survived by daughters Lori Blong and husband, Jared and daughter Leslie Vanderland and husband, Ryan, each of Midland. His greatest delights were his grandchildren, Merritt, Caleb and Jess (due August 19, 2013) Blong and Levi and Jakob Vanderland. Mark is survived by one brother, Brock Merritt of Aquila, TX and two sisters, LeAnn Kramer of Kingsville, TX and Deannea Tanner of Tucson, Arizona.In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to First Baptist Church Foundation of Midland P.O. Box 5485 Midland, TX 79704 or Midland Habitat for Humanity 305 E Texas Ave. Midland, Texas 79701. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,