Joseph Ray "Elray" Merkley
1942 ~ 2008
VERNAL -In loving memory of
Joseph Ray "Elray" Merkley.
Born in Sandy, Utah on March 17, 1942. He is the son of Joseph Arivd and Oral Merkley. Ray passed away unexpectedly May 12, 2008 to join his Father in Heaven and loved ones. He married his eternal sweetheart Ravae Roberts on November 26th, 1977 and solemnized their marriage in the Salt Lake Temple on June 16, 1979 for time and all eternity. Ray was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a love for family history.
He excelled in wrestling for the Uintah High School Wrestling team and loved racing motorcycles and riding in "The Honda Hills". He was a very smart and accomplished businessman. Between owning and operating motorcycle shops, a gas station convenience store, and operating heavy machinery, he and his son, Scott ventured into business together forming Merkley Oil Field Service, where he worked until his retirement in 2006. From here is when his long time dream of operating his own full time farm began to blossom. He had a love for tinkering and working on tractors and other farm equipment, as well as cutting and bailing hay, where he spent numerous hours shaping and maintaining his dream to what is now appropriately called "Green Acres" by family and friends.
Ray was a very driven and talented man, not only was he successful throughout his careers, but as a licensed electrician and an achieved homebuilder. He had many hobbies, but his true passion was for the outdoors. His love for fishing, camping, hunting, and anything outside was immeasurable, as is the love for his family and friends who accompanied him on all of his many adventures.
Whether it was building up his tractor collection and working on his farm, or out fishing, camping and spending quality time with his special wife, family and friends, Ray spent his last days happy and content knowing he was living his dreams. His lifetime of hard work, service, and love for others will forever be remembered through the lives he has touched.
Ray is loved by his sisters, Connie (Ned) Cook, Aleen (Terry) Barker, and Lynne Merkley, his five children, JanaRae (Danny) Lee, Davey Jo Merkley, Scott (Marcie) Merkley, Taria (Curtis) Atkinson, Teona (Mike) Brodale, his 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, mother and sister Jean Holfeltz.
Funeral Services for Joseph Ray Merkley will be Sat., May 17, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the Naples 1st Ward Chapel (2313 S. 1500 E). Friends and family may call at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary Friday from 6-8 p.m. and at the chapel one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Dry Fork Cemetery under the direction of Blackburn Vernal
Mortuary. Tractors in heaven