Gary Merritt

Gary Curtis Merritt, 86, of Provo, passed away Friday, June 23, 2023, after succumbing to symptoms of cancer. He was born October 6, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Aca Nathan Merritt and Edna Beatrice (Cude) Merritt. He married Jackie Barrett on January 8th, 1970, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Gary and Jackie were married for 18 years and had five children. In 1991, he married Darlene Peterson. They were married for 9 years.

Gary enjoyed dancing, fishing, camping, reading, movies, going to the theatre, road trips, working on cars, singing in the Utah Valley Single Adult Choir, and expanding his faith through the scriptures. He was a member of the Navy Reserve and served an LDS mission to The Netherlands in 1957. He had a lasting fondness for the Dutch language and culture. He attended the University of Utah to study Speech Therapy and graduated from LDS Business College in 1968 with an associate's degree in Computer Science. He was also a licensed massage therapist. After retirement, he worked for Utah County Senior Companions for more than 20 years, earning accolades for his dedicated service and caring demeanor.

He was a hard-working father and supportive grandfather, and he loved his children and grandchildren dearly. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had many callings and loved sharing his testimony of Jesus Christ with everyone.

He is survived by his children Brett Curtis Merritt, Tiffany Lynn Rich (Tom), Jared Nathan Merritt, and Lynsey Marie Reynolds (Paul), his stepchildren Kristen Alene Smith, and Rodger Holden Smith, his 23 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and close family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, son Jacob Aaron Merritt, sisters Marilyn Merritt King and Charlene Merritt McCann, brother Kenneth Aca Merritt, and stepdaughter Carrie Ellen Holt.

Many thanks to those who visited, texted, called, and offered their faith and prayers on his behalf, and helped lighten his burden during his last nine months.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, Utah. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, prior to the services at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

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