Jack Merrell

Jack Merrell, 73, died September 24th, 2011, while near his home at the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday morning, September 29th at 10:00am at the English Chapel Methodist Church in Pisgah Forest where he and his wife are members, and were married in 1964.

He was born in Asheville in 1937 to Fritz and Virginia Merrell. His father was the Activities Director at Ecusta, and his mother was a homemaker.

Jack grew up in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina and graduated from Brevard High School in 1956. He attended Mars Hill College and Tennessee Tech. Jack met his wife of 47 years, Barbara, while in Brevard, NC. He enjoyed a career as a golf professional and also spent time working in sales. Jack and his family moved to Naples, Florida where his oldest son John was born, and then to St. Louis where his middle son Jay was born, and then to Houston, where his youngest son Judson was born before moving back to Brevard, North Carolina in 1998 where he was the caretaker at the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest.

As an avid golfer Jack enjoyed playing at Glen Cannon Country Club in Brevard with family and friends. His other interests include making mountain toys and devoting time to his family and friends.

Jack is survived by many loved ones including his wife, Barbara Merrell; mother, Virginia Merrell; sister, Rita Ashley and brother-in-law, David Ashley; three sons John Merrell, Jay Merrell and daughter-in-law Courtney Merrell, Judson Merrell and daughter-in-law Sarah Merrell; three grand children Zane Merrell, Ahna Merrell, and Grayson Merrell; brother-in-law Harold Fredrick Severs and sister-in-law Rosemary Severs, and brother-in-law Ronald Severs and sister-in-law Cathy Severs, and brother-in-law BJ Smith and sister-in-law Sybil Smith; sister-in-law Carolyn Cascino and brother-in-law Domnick Cascino as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In memory of Jack, flowers are accepted and/or donations may be made to the Cradle of Forestry, PO Box 1359, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, English Chapel United Methodist Church, PO Box 1074, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, and/or Transylvania Youth Association, 1078 Ecusta Rd, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768.

To leave a condolence for the Merrell family, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .

Moore Funeral Home is caring for the family.