Larry Basil Merrill, age 83, of Sutherland, Nebraska passed away at home after a battle with spine/bone cancer on March 28, 2021.
Larry was born to Ray and Ruth Merrill in Sacramento, California on August 28, 1937. He grew up on a farm, which his dad bought in 1941, just north of Sutherland, Nebraska. Larry or 'Corky' as he was known to the family, told many stories of playing on the North Platte River and "Corky's Pond" located on the old farm. He loved fishing and shooting guns (he got his first pistol at age 9). He had 4-H prize hogs which he sold at auction and always received top dollar because of his hard work.
Larry met his bride, Margie, on a blind date and that night he went home
and told his momma, "I met the girl I'm going to marry." They married
on May 3, 1957, and just last year they celebrated their 63rd
anniversary. Margie was the love of his life.
Larry enjoyed moving. He left Nebraska for California, spent some years
in Colorado and Oregon, and had short stays in Arizona, Iowa, Montana
and Nevada. Larry never did anything half way, any job he had he worked
hard to be the best he could be. Throughout his life he owned his own
roofing, logging and handyman businesses, and was an artistic man with
many talents who loved to work with his hands. Larry made gun grips, gun rests and holsters, created artwork with wood, and in later years, he
took up painting. He painted beautiful mountain scenes and was known
for his perfect detail.
Larry loved the outdoors, hanging out at the ocean and in the mountains.
He spent hours fishing, rock hunting and finding purple glass. He was
the best husband, dad and grandpa we could ever have!
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Ruth Merrill;
brother, Phillip Merrill; and infant daughter, Crystal Lea.
He is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Marjorie of
Sutherland, NE; their children, Jole (Lulu) Merrill of Cedar City, UT,
Christina (Brian) Holley of Brighton, CO, and Shawn Merrill (Deb Sell)
of Wellington, CO; grandchildren, Melissa (Jon) Scottorn, Brianna (Neal)
Stanfield, Samuel (Rachel) Holley, Crystal Dawn Merrill and Johnny
Merrill; 10 great-grandchildren; his sister, Phyllis (Harlan) Dancer of
Sutherland, NE; sister-in-law, Marian Merrill, of Hershey, NE; and many other family members.
Cremation was chosen. A gathering of family and friends will be 2 p.m.
on Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte, Nebraska. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the family for later designation.