Otis Dude MERRITT

McMinnville resident and Warren County native Otis "Dude" Merritt, age 71, was born June 30, 1935 and died December 23, 2006 at NHC Healthcare McMinnville.  The retired owner of Merritt Nursery, a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Church of Christ, Hwy. 56 North, he was the son of the late Odus and Lillian Talley Merritt.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Odus and Lillian Talley Merritt and John and Elva Wallace Talley;  brothers, J.T. "Bud" Merritt and Harold "Sonny" Merritt;  daughter-in-law, Sabrina Denise Luna Merritt and nephew Harold "Bubba" Merritt.  He was married August 6, 1959 to Patricia Jo Narramore Merritt of McMinnville.  In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children and their spouses, Paddi De Merritt Smith, Cappi Jo Merritt Jones and Randy, Zachary Todd Merritt and Tamara, Darrell Edward Merritt and Brett Wayne Merritt and Rebecca all of McMinnville;  seven grandchildren, Emme Sue Smith, Dakota Payton Jones, Sierra Leann Jones Denning and Terry, Tyler Edward Merritt, Tia Jade Merritt, Bran Wyatt Merritt and Josie Gayle Merritt;  great-grandchild, Easton Everett Merritt;  three nieces, Barbara Probst of Wisconsin, Deborah Kristopherson of Norway and Pam Hardin of Sparta, TN;  two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Merritt of Sparta, TN and Karen Merritt of Waterford, Wisconsin and great-nephew, Tony Probst of Wisconsin.  A graveside service and interment was held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at Faulkner Cemetery at Pike Hill with Harold Jones, Thurman Bennett, Lynwood Mathis and Joe Gray officiating.