Timothy Edward Merrell

Timothy Edward Merrell departed from this earth and arrived in Heaven on September 19, 2016, just one month after his 87-year-old father did the same. Ron Merrell and his son Tim always liked doing things together, like golf for example. And if there are any fairways just outside the pearly gates, you’ll find them there. Tim was 54, born on May 3, 1962 in New Iberia, La. He was the youngest son of preacher Ron and his wife Betty, the husband of veterinarian Dawn Merrell, father of 9-year-old Lauren Merrell, and brother of Dan Merrell. Tim accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of seven at The Merrell home in Red Fork, Oklahoma, a suburb outside or Tulsa (where his parents grew up). Tim and his brother Dan grew up in Vietnam during the infamous war in the 60’s and 70’s where their parents served as Southern Baptist Missionaries. When the family moved to the Washington D.C. area in 1974, Tim excelled in sports at Taney Jr. High and Potomac Senior High School in Maryland. After graduating from Baylor University in ’85, Tim entered the banking world, while getting his MBA at The University of North Texas. After working as EVP of Energy Lending for both Amegy Bank and Bank of Texas, Tim worked for Tridimension Energy then partnered with several others to start Spirit Resources, LLC (named after his daughter’s favorite animated movie horse). In 2005, Tim met and married Dawn Brittain at First Baptist Forney and in 2007 Dawn gave birth to Lauren Diana. The pictures of the family's early years at their horse ranch in Poetry say it all - their home was full of life, love and joy. Tim did many things in his life which endeared him to those he knew - mainly take care of every need his family and friends had. Tim was a great giver, a hard worker, a fierce competitor and a Boomer Sooner fan through and through. He was also a devoted husband and father who loved his wife Dawn and daughter Lauren with all his heart and soul. Soon after Lauren was born, Tim’s health deteriorated quickly over the years, until he was forced to go on disability. He fought Sphenopalatine Ganglion Neuralgia for 9 years. During that time, he endured over 20 surgical procedures and an endless parade of prescription drugs and treatments that rendered him an invalid for the last several years of his life. Dawn was by his side every step of the way, constant nurse, companion and wife. Though hundreds prayed for healing for years, Tim’s condition spiraled downward. A recent visit to his bedside prompted Tim’s Uncle Rex Caughron to say, “Tim, you are the bravest man I ever met.” What he did in surviving these last years was beyond average human endurance - a feat that will be lauded in the halls of heaven by the angelic host. I know. I am his brother Dan. And I was there with his wife and daughter as an eyewitness to this courageous battle with Hell. The war for Tim’s life is over now, and Tim is safely home with his Maker and Savior. To our defeated foe we say this - "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39. Family visitation will be at the Max Slayton Funeral Home in Terrell, TX. 642 N. Rockwall Avenue, Terrell, TX 75160, September 21, 6-8pm. The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church, Terrell, TX. 403 N Catherine St, Terrell, TX 75160 at 11am Thursday, September 22. For those unable to attend the funeral, it will be broadcast live on Dan Merrell’s FACEBOOK page. To see the service, send Dan a friend request on FACEBOOK. It will remain in Dan’s Facebook timeline for the duration so even if you cannot watch with us at 11am on Thursday, you may log onto the page and view it whenever you wish.

Tributes

Timothy Edward Merrell

May 3, 1962 - September 19, 2016