Our family patriarch, Merril McCarty passed away on November 12 at the age of 89. He lived a long and full life devoted to his family, friends, and especially his wife Lois. Merril was a man of great fortitude whose steady and loving presence nurtured everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Merril was born in Leavenworth on February 18, 1933 and the oldest of four. Living his entire life in the great state of Washington, he spent much of his child and early adulthood in Seattle and later moved to a beautiful home he and his wife Lois built outside of Stanwood (for many years, both of their parents lived on either side of them!). Their happy home was always bustling with family and friends and everyone who spent time there always felt at home.
As a young man, Merril proudly served in the Navy as a machinist mate on an 11-man reconnaissance plane travelling all over the world. Once home, he was introduced to Lois by his sister Cheryl who just happened to be married to Lois’s brother Bud. Love ensued and the two married. Merril became an instant Dad to Patty and Gene, and together the couple welcomed Jody, Denise, and Brian. He trained as a plumber and later owned his own plumbing business with partner Buzz Bates. The two successfully ran Bates Plumbing until retirement when son Brian took over the business.
Merril will be remembered for his love of country and family and his unwavering support for those he loved. He was the kind of man always carrying the tool for the job, and it was usually in one of his many vest pockets. He enjoyed travel (as long as he could drive there), Volvos, marksmanship, and he always made sure he got his turn holding a new baby. Merril is survived by his wife Lois, his children Patty, Jody (Bill), Denise (Jeff), and Brian (Jeannette), and his siblings Cheryl, Denny, and Norma. Proud grandfather to 11, proud great-grandfather to 11 more, and a brother, uncle, cousin, friend to countless, Merril will be so missed by so many.
The family is planning a memorial for February or March of 2023.