Charles Merritt

Charles Daniel Merritt, 89, a resident of Gulf Breeze for 66 years, died February 6 in Tennessee. Born in Muscogee, Florida on April 28, 1921, he was the son of Charles Brooks and Velma Bell Merritt, both members of pioneer families of that area. In 1944 Charlie met and married Gretchen Broxson. They shared a deep and abiding love for 66 years. Charlie was a unique and unforgettable man. His wonderful memory and sense of humor remained a part of him until he left us. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend; a man of strong core principles that he and Gretchen instilled in their children. He was also a great storyteller and often regaled his co-workers at Eglin Field, the Naval Air Station, and Cyanamid with tales of adventure and history of Gulf Breeze and the Muscogee area. Everywhere he traveled, he made friends, and enjoyed meeting new people. Also, his love of the water, fishing, and nature was unbounded and is a legacy he left to his children and grandchildren. After his retirement he stayed busy with his woodworking, gardening, cooking, taking care of his fruit trees, and creating new types of jams, jellies and marmalades. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his youngest son, Charles Cameron Merritt. He is survived by his wife, Gretchen, his children Dan and Cathy Merritt, Longview, TX; Jennifer and Tom Johnson, Pensacola; Marla and Harvey Peak, Maryville, TN; his grandchildren and great grandchildren; Lee, Chrisie, Daniel, and Matthew Ryan Merritt, Longview, TX; Matt, Lara, Olivia, Rylee and Ryan Joseph Merritt, Austin, TX; Ryan , Jennifer, and Caroline Merritt, Boca Raton, FL; Rick, Anna, Kate and Caroline Johnson, Pensacola; Chad, Stacy, Nathan and Allison Peak, Maryville, TN; Teresa, Greg, Merritt, McKenna, Marae, Dalton, Peyton and Pleasance Herrmann, Bristol, TN. He is also survived by three sisters, Rosemary Hornberger of McAllister, PA; Bennie Kenney of Pensacola; Jane Gabriel of Chicago, IL; and many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be at Rose Lawn Funeral Home in Gulf Breeze on Friday, February 11 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 12, at 10:00 a.m. at Gulf Breeze Untied Methodist Church in Gulf Breeze where he was a long time member. Dr. Herbert Sadler. Pastor Emeritus, will lead the service. Burial will be in Rose Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the missions Department at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.roselawn-fh.com