Jay Webb Merrill, 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend transferred to new responsibilities in the spirit world on 15 February, 2016.
Jay was born 6 November, 1927 in Paul, Idaho to Keith Cardon Merrill and Lucy Grace (Webb) Merrill. He attended school in Paul, Idaho where he graduated from High School as Valedictorian. Jay graduated one year early from High School so he could serve in the Navy in World War II. After the war, he served an LDS mission, married his sweetheart, Jane, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple 25 November, 1952, and graduated from BYU in 1953 with a B.S. degree in Marketing and Business Administration. Jay and Jane lived in Idaho for 41 years where they raised their six children and owned and operated several businesses. In 1993, Jay and Jane moved to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jay's life has been one of service and dedication to the Lord. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings including Counselor in a Stake Presidency, Bishop, Stake Mission President, Stake Sunday School President, High Councilor, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and Home Teacher.
Together, Jay and Jane served two missions for the Church: Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission, where Jay served in the Mission Presidency; and as Directors of the Joseph Smith Memorial Birthplace in Sharon, Vermont. They also served as ordinance workers in the Mesa, Arizona and Salt Lake Temples for twenty years.
Jay is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jane P. Merrill of Salt Lake City, Utah; three daughters: Karen (Merrill) Sunderland, Roy, Utah; Debra Parks, Tempe, Arizona; Julie (Rick) Dooley, Sandy, Utah; three sons: Alan (Debbie) Merrill, Mesa, Arizona; Dale (Debbie) Merrill, Alpine, Utah; Junius (Julie) Merrill, Lubbock, Texas; 28 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and two brothers: Floyd (Marjorie) Merrill, Rupert, Idaho; and Evan (Loretta) Merrill, Bountiful, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Keith, Reid and Lee Merrill and one sister, Ruth Merrill.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the kind and caring staff at the Veteran's Hospital, the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and the Hospice team in Salt Lake.
Jay has truly left a legacy of love and faith for his family and friends. His greatest desire for his family is to be "Together in Heaven with No Empty Chairs." His lifelong motto: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Funeral services will be held at the Salt Lake Ensign Stake Center, 135 A Street, on Monday, February 22, 2016, at 11:00 am.
Viewings will be held at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Sunday, February 21, 2016 from 6-8pm, and at the Salt Lake Ensign Stake Center prior to the funeral service from 9:30am to 10:30am.
Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery (North on Virginia Street to 11th Ave, turn left and then take first cemetery entrance on left), with military graveside honors.
