Denver Moses Merryman

Denver Moses Merryman of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life, Wednesday, July 1, 2015 in Waldron, Arkansas surrounded by his loving family. Denver was born September 3, 1923 in Bengal, Oklahoma to Gabe Harlis Merryman and Eva Jane (McGee) Merryman. He was 91 years, 9 months and 28 days old. Denver was of the Methodist faith.

Denver was a man of many talents and hobbies. He lived to hunt, fish, cook, and play baseball. He would never pass the chance to dance with the ladies. At 19, he enlisted in the Navy, where he learned to box while serving in the Pacific in WWII. After the Navy he worked in a shipyard until his return to Oklahoma to raise his younger siblings. Back in Bengal he taught school and coached baseball. Denver's legacy to his children and grandchildren was his sense of humor and patience. Denver was happiest when surrounded by family and if he knew you, you where family.

Denver is survived by children: Linda Locke and husband Roger, Dianne Douglas and husband Stephen, Loyd Merryman and wife Dee and Susan Staggs and husband Stewart. "Papa Denver" will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Denver Harlis Locke, Roger Dale Locke Jr., Gabe Locke, Crystal Taylor, Lynn Taber, Denver Loyd Merryman Jr., Stephanie Merryman, Jessica Bowles and Dylan Staggs as well as 16 great grandchildren and one pending. Denver is also survived by siblings: Wayne Merryman, Harlis Merryman and Mary (Merryman) Cambell. Denver will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives were impacted by him including a host of extended family, friends and loved ones.

Denver is preceded in death by his wife, Veda Faye (Rose) Merryman and a close personal friend, Dorothy Gilley, his parents, Gabe and Eva Merryman and siblings: Jimmy, Oleta, Harold, and Myron.

Denver's life celebration will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 6, 2015 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Clay Staggs officiating. Interment will follow in the Laura McGee Cemetery in Buffalo Valley, Oklahoma near Talihina, Oklahoma. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Denver's pallbearers will be Denver Loyd Merryman, Denver Loyd Merryman Jr., James Morgan, Rick Templeman, Mason Taber, Garrett Taber, Jonathon Taylor and Stewart Staggs. Honorary pallbearers will be Denver H. Locke, Marvin Gabe Merryman, Matthew Bullard, Clay Bullard, Justin Bullard, Billy Sherrill, Dillon Dotson, Nathaniel Locke, Marvin Locke, Roger Locke Sr., Roger Locke Jr., Vincent Cowan and Steven Douglas.

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