Richard L. “Rick” Merrill, 60, of Lutz, FL funeral service is 11:00 AM, Friday, February 24, 2012 at Grace Family Church, 5101 Van Dyke Road, Lutz, Fl 33558 with Pastor Fritz and the United States Air Force Honor Guard, to officiate. The family will receive friends 9:30 to 11 AM. Graveside service will be 1:30 PM, Friday, February 24, 2012 at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida 33513 with Pastor Fritz, to officiate. Burial will be at the conclusion of the graveside service.
A native of Dearborn, MI and long time Tampa, and Lutz, FL area resident, Rick attended Grace Family Church; a HAM RADIO Operator “KD4WDI”; a ultra light air plane pilot and enthusiast; and was employed with ESCO Manufacturing Company as a electronics technician. He was a United States Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam Era; National Defense Service Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Medal; and an Air Force Good Conduct Medal. He was a Ballistic Missile Technician and obtained the rank of Sergeant.
Survived by is wife, Mary Ann Merrill of Lutz, FL; a daughter, Diana Marie Claussen of Red Oak, Texas and a sister, Marcia Bellows and her husband, Charles of Candler, North Carolina.
Send all floral arrangements directly to the church.
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
Rick was one of my best friends in high school. We rode around in his Plymouth Barracuda and had great times. Over the years we lost contact with one another, but he stayed in my heart as good friend. I am sorry he is gone, my sincere condolences to his family for their loss.
Joe Robinson
I lost a good friend. My heart goes out to Ann.
Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. Denise Duck
Mary Ann,
We were saddened by the news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this time. We are always right down the street if there is anything we can do.
Skip and Debbie Nichols
Ann, You are in our prayers for the peace that only God can bring you during this time. If there is anything we can do to help you in any way, please let us know.
Sherill & Jose
I’ve lost a geat friend. Rick always had a good remark that would make you grin. As ill as he was he kept his humor. We both loved flying and hangar flying. Things I will treasure. My only regret that I never got around to fly his new Aerolite for him. I should have made time to do that for him.
Ann you are in our prayers.
the knoledge he shared with us lives on… these gifts shall not be taken from this earth .
Rick touched so many students lives with his wisdom of electronics, and a natural ability to teach, I’ll always remember his wit and infectious smile.
And was an important part of my becoming a better citizen.
my prayers are with you all
thank you for my success teach.
Russell Wagner
Mary Ann,
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved husband. May Christ comfort you with His peace during these times. Love you…
Growing up I always enjoyed when Rick would share his hobbies with us. I always learned a lot from him and always had fun. Teaching came naturally to him and he always made things so interesting. He was my Uncle and I will miss him.
Rick was well known at Blackwater Creek Airport
and respected by all who knew him. We offer our
condolences to his Family. Rick will be missed,
but not forgotten.
We were saddened and stunned by the news of Rick’s passing. We surely take for granted that our friends are going to be there tomorrow and put off that phone call or visit. We don’t have to tell you that Rick was a special person. We know that you have your church friends and family but if there is ever anything we can do for you please let us know.
Mary Ann, May Gods face shine upon you at this time and give you comfort. We are all praying for you. Please let us know what we can do for you. Love Brenda
I never saw Rick without a smile on his face, and a laugh to share. Over 20 some odd years he was a fixture at the Tampa Amateur Radio Club, and on the air. You’d be hard pressed to find a friendlier, kinder man, who never had anything but fun on his agenda. Rick was a true friend and we’ll miss his love for life and his hobbies. I’m sure he’s flying the good Lord’s aircraft right now! 73 and SK KD4WDI de W1GUD…
Mary Ann and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Isaiah, Cindy, Emma, Luke, and Joshua
Mary Ann & Family, My condolences on your loss. I only had the opportunity to meet Rick at TARCfest. However, I did speak with him often on the air. He will be missed.
Hugh Holton
Kg4eti
Trying so hard to find the right words….Rick and I go back over 30 years, and have enjoyed so many things together as great friends…as aware as I am that these things are part of the life that God gave us, im still devasted…..I have a picture in my shop of Rick, my son, and 2 of my Grandkids out at the old West Pasco Model airplnae field, teaching them how to fly and then cooking up some dogs and burgers on a grill….what a wonderful day that was…one of hunderds of great memories Rick and I shared…he was my friend and I will miss him dearly.
Ann, Judy and I just wanted to let you know that you are in our prayers, but im sure you already knew that….
Mary Ann,
I understand the depth of your sorrow at this time. God and time will ease this burdon. I wish I was there to help.
Cecilia
Mary Ann, may all the precious memories of your amazing husband, Richard, carry you through the next few months. May the Comforter wrap His arms around you and strengthen you as you walk though this difficult time..your family and friends at Grace are there for you to help you bear this burden…we all love you so …hugs and prayers
Rick taught me how to fly RC Airplanes. We became good friends and I will assure you that he will be missed.
ann, what can i really tell you, that you dont really know ,he was a man with a thirst of life of his intrests and others ,his quality of friendship will last us a life time ,he was amazing ,and we are so honored to call him our friend he will be missed by all that knew him, i know i will ,love to you and your family at this time of sorrow bill and howie
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
Dear Mary Ann,
You always shine with the love of Jesus. May his peace always be with you.
Be well my friend.
Ann, Our Heart’s are saden for you at this time !
But he is Flying high with God !!!!
And he will be your Angel !God Will alway’s be with you !!!! Love You !!!! Ellie & Don
Ann Rick was a good friend, his loss will be felt every where. I will miss him. Hugh Parent.
MaryAnn, Sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. New him from Esco,he worked with my late husband Charles. God Bless to all.
Barbara
[Guthrie,OK]
Ann, Know that you are in our hearts and prayers! We are here for you and only a phone call away! We love you!
With deepest regrets on hearing of Rick’s passing. After years of losing touch and finally connecting again and looking forward to more rc flying and just plain conversation and friendship. He will truly be missed.
Ann, I am sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
His absense is immeasurable. We will miss him every day. No one has ever had a better friend. Eric and Rick were like Fric and Frac, but they made it work! The loss will always be with us. A beautiful soul gone too soon. Ann, all our support and love remains forever.
MaryAnn,
Although I did not get to meet your husband, I feel as if I knew him! It was a joy for me to witness your deep love and selfless nurturing of Richard over the last few years! What a beautiful picture of what marriage was intended to be. Praying that the Lord will comfort you as only HE can. Much Love, Cheryl
I remember from the very 1st time I met Rick how mechanically and technically savvy he was. Now this does go back several years (ok, more than several) , but he got me interested in little remote control cars. These were small cars but seem to cost a lot with all the add-ons. It seems that they cost me more than Rick because he could just make stuff work better than me. From cars running around the Publix parking lot, to Pin Ball Machine repair, boats and cars…. If it could be fixed he could figure it out. He was the go to person when a problem needed solving. He could have built a helicopter if he wanted to (oh, that’s right he had one of them too). The MacGyver of his world and others. To think in one of his jobs he was actually in a silo with the ability to launch. We all know he is in a better place where there is no more suffering. Leaving behind a wonderful wife and family, but also the memories of your life and love. We will all miss you…
We lost a great friend and would do anything he could to help
but he’s flying high now
RIP Rick
73 Bill and Macie