Mr. Gary Lee Merrill, 74, of Webb City, departed this life suddenly on Sunday at his residence.

Gary entered this life on Oct. 11, 1947, in Denver, Colo., and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Larry and Edna Eador. His formative years were spent in Haven, Kan. and Kansas City, Mo. He graduated from Ruskin High School in Kansas City in 1966. Following high school, Gary enlisted in the United States Army serving in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Kansas City and began his career with Pepsi, retiring in 1987, as special events manager. After retiring, he and his wife, Diane, resided in Hermitage and Bolivar before moving to Branson in 2006. Gary worked in marketing while living in Branson. He also drove a truck for many years for MNX and Marten Trucking. Diane passed away on Dec. 21, 2014. Gary remained in Branson until making the decision to move to Webb City in 2016. He loved cars and auto body work, hunting, fishing, traveling, was a proud veteran and Republican and was always involved in doing some sort of “damn project.”

Gary is survived by his four children, Stacey Merrill, Webb City, Rick Stuhr, Columbus, Ohio, Chris Merrill and wife Jeannette, Raytown, and Kellie Outt and husband Damon, Webb City; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Gene Merrill, Lenexa, Kan.; a sister, Lorinda Bryan, Lee’s Summit; and a host of other family and friends.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home, with Bishop Brevin White officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at noon Friday in the funeral home.