Obituary: MERZ, LT COL RONALD

Lt. Col. Ronald L. MerzUSAF, Ret.Ron Merz passed away, May 19, 2012 at the age of 78. Ron was born March 3, 1934 in Chicago, Il. The son of Marge Ryan and Warren Merz. He graduated from Burnside Elementary and Fenger High School in Chicago. Upon graduation he came to the University of Utah on a football scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business in 1956. He was then commissioned in the Air Force and retired in 1976. Ron served in Vietnam, was a navigator and had flying assignments for seventeen of those years. He earned, among other commendations, the Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon retirement he chose to return to his beloved mountains in Salt Lake City. He worked for Hermes Assoc. as a commercial realtor for 19 years. Ron married Joan Hood in Salt Lake City in 1955. They had four children and raised them while they traveled courtesy of the Air Force. Ron had a turbulent childhood. He grew up in a rough neighborhood and often got into fights. An eighth grade teacher was able to see past the troubled youth and convinced Ron that he had the potential to succeed in life. Through hard, hard work, he achieved that goal and became a leader in high school, college, military and civilian life. Ron enjoyed sports, hunting, fishing, bowling, racketball, handball and most importantly looked forward to a retirement of playing golf and traveling. His grandchildren adored him and called him "Grandpa Silly". Some of his great-grandchildren call him "Grandpa Sir." All of his grandchildren fondly remember his entertaining Farmer Brown stories.Ron is survived by his wife and four children: Laura (Ron) Tyre, CA, Patrick, Susan (Ray) Taggart and David (Amy) all of Salt Lake City; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Jerry (Pat), sister-in-law, Mary Lou. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law Susan Jane; brother Norm and in-laws, Reta and Jack Hood.Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 25, 2012 at 10:30 am at Holbrook Mortuary 3251 South 2300 East. Family and friends may visit on Thursday evening, May 24, 2012 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Friday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at the mortuary prior to services. Interment: Utah Veterans Memorial Park. Online tributes may be sent to the family at www.holbrookmortuary.com.The family would like to thank the staff at The Utah State Veterans Nursing Home for the loving care that Ron received. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron's name to the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home, 700 Foothill Blvd., Salt Lake City, UT 84113.