Devin Francis Merrill

On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Devin Francis Merrill, loving husband, father, uncle, brother, and friend, passed away in Orem, UT, due to a sudden heart attack at age 56. 

Devin was born the second of six children to Bruce and Beth Merrill, in Castro Valley, CA on August 5, 1966. Devin grew up in Pleasanton, CA and graduated from Amador Valley High School. He went to Brigham Young University, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1991. Devin’s career in revenue-management software development lasted 31 years.

Devin spent his early years with friends dabbling in soccer and football, but he really loved baseball. He started in T-ball, moved into Little League, and then played for his high school team. Throughout his life, Devin made everyone around him feel like they were important by giving them individual and personal attention. His sisters helped him hone his style. He was a true renaissance man, enjoying a wide range of activities. He had a great group of friends and loved to entertain by playing Atari and jumping on the trampoline. Music was important to him and he loved attending concerts.

Devin had a great experience serving a mission in Denver, CO.  A highlight was being in charge of the missionaries at the Denver Temple open house.  When particularly difficult protestors gathered outside the grounds, Devin’s grace, charm, and testimony were called upon to have great conversations with those of different faiths and to spread peace. He particularly remembered at the end of the night when it was time to close the temple, he was talking with a man about the difference in their beliefs. He respectfully said good night and closed the temple gates. He realized the amazing difference between the darkness on the outside of the temple grounds and the light he felt when he turned around and saw the temple lit up.

In 1996, Devin met his wife, Madelene (Maddi) Mukhar, a friend of his sister Karen, at a church roadshow in Palo Alto, CA.  Maddi played the role of “Monica” from the TV show “Friends.” Devin saw Maddi on stage, turned to his sister Karen and asked about her. Devin and Maddi continued to see each other at different ward activities and soon after Karen introduced them. They were married and sealed in the Oakland Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, on June 7, 1997. They began their married life in Houston, TX where they spent six years and had their first two children, Luke and Lauren. They then lived in Mesa, AZ for five years where they had their youngest child, Jackson. After a short year in Chicago, IL they settled down in Orem, UT where they have spent the last twelve years. 

Devin’s biggest accomplishment is his three children, Luke (23), Lauren (22), and Jackson (18). He loved his kids more than anything in the world and always made sure that each child felt seen, safe, loved, and cared for. He was a proud father and would always share his kids’ accomplishments with others. Devin was the most amazing dad and would go above and beyond for his children. His children considered him their best friend and their biggest supporter. He prioritized his family above all and constantly showered them with love. Devin’s nickname, since his teen years, was Devo. He has been known by that nickname by his children and their friends in all of their sports and activities,

Devin was an active and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He enjoyed serving in church callings, including two bishoprics, and especially enjoyed working with the youth. He attended many mutual activities, scout camps, and girls’ camps. He was friends with many of the youth and loved serving and spending time with them. Recently, Devin used his technology skills to aid the ward in broadcasting church meetings. 

He loved a variety of sports including track, baseball, and golf. He loved woodworking, technology, coaching, camping, traveling, art, puzzles, movies, TV shows, cooking and barbecuing, road trips and family vacations, visiting extended family, making string hunts on birthdays, making chocolate chip cookies, attending track practices and meets, and spoiling his family.  

Devin is survived by his wife, Maddi, his children: Luke Merrill, Lauren (Gabe) Willes, and Jackson Merrill, mother, Beth Merrill of Provo, UT; mother in-law, Beverly Mukhar of Atwater, CA; brother, Craig (Andrea) Merrill of Provo, UT; sisters: Karen Merrill of San Francisco, CA; Diana (Brent) Osiek of Bountiful, UT; Janette (Brandon) Pace of Pleasanton, CA; and Julie (Ralph) Hinkson of Draper, UT; sister in-laws: Nora (Steve) Reardon of Atwater, CA; Debbie Mukhar of Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia; and 17 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Bruce Merrill, and his father in-law, Nedim (Ned) Khalil Mukhar. 

Viewings will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at the Canyon View Stake Center, 565 E 800 N Orem, UT, and from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., prior to the service at the stake center. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023, at the Canyon View Stake Center. Interment will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Orem Cemetery, 1520 N 800 E, Orem, UT.

“In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to the Devin Merrill Memorial College Fund to help with education expenses for Devin’s children. Here is a link to the fund raising campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/devin-merrill-memorial-college-fund

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, you may view the Services HERE