John Christopher Merritt

The Lord graciously brought our son, John, into this world and our loving care on May 19, 1988. His arrival was a source of great joy to all the family. He was received into our Lord's loving care on February 22, 2018. John was born in Altus, Oklahoma and grew up in Mangum, Oklahoma until he left to attend college. While in Mangum, he was a kind, gentle and loving reflection of his Lord as a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, student, friend and athlete. John received the Lord Jesus Christ into his life at a young age and was baptized in obedience with His Lord's command. He excelled in both academic and athletic achievement. At age 8, he competed in the Elk's National Hoop shoot contest and was named the National Runner-up in Springfield, Massachusetts. John enjoyed playing basketball, baseball and football. His Mangum basketball team went to state competition his senior year and was honored as an All-State basketball player. He graduated as Salutatorian from Mangum High School. John attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology/Business. While in school, John worked as a pest control technician in his family's business, faithfully and diligently serving his customers with excellence. John was accepted into the graduate program of the University of Oklahoma working toward a community counseling degree in psychology with a strong desire to help individuals in need. Later, John began to receive treatment for medical condition. Through his suffering, he never grew bitter or unkind in speech or actions towards others. He put the love of God into action as he sought opportunities to help other suffering individuals through group therapy or one-on-one contact with the disabled in the confines of their home. John loved the helpless and hopeless of this world and longed to bring relief to their pain and suffering. His legacy will be a lasting one. He is survived by his parents, Mike and Kim Merritt, his brother, Michael Merritt, his two sisters Angela Davis, her husband Ryan and children, Cale and Carter, Krista Millard and her husband Dustin and children Samantha and Rebecca, his grandparents, Jim and Marcy MacRobert and Gene and Dodie Merritt Drechsler, and the late Jack Merritt, Sr.. Aunts and uncles include John and Carol Knox, Jack and Valerie Merritt, Margo MacRobert, and David and Mia Hurst, Cousins include Rev. James Wickersham, Ashley Adams, Grayson Hurst, Garrett Hurst, Justin Know, Sean Knox, John Allen Knox, Kristi White, Anna Merritt, Virginia Merritt, Mary Merritt, Luke Merritt and Austin Merritt. John Christopher Merritt was and is the balance in our family. We are resolved to take the gentle loving, kind and wise heart of John and allow it to live on in our lives until we are united with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and embrace John once again in our arms never again to be parted.