Lewis Dewey Merrell

Funeral Arrangements Lewis Dewey Merrell, fondly know as "L.D." and "Louie" passed away at Western Medical Center in Tustin, California on Tuesday July 8, 2014 . He was 89 years old. Louie lived in Irvine with his only daughter, Debra Waters, and her husband. The cause of death was heart failure.Lewis was born on April 12, 1925, into the family of Lewis and Mosie Merrell of Morton's Gap, Kentucky. When he reached his teen years, he decided to seek his fortune in Detroit and left home. When World War II broke out, Lewis obtained his father's consent and enlisted in the Navy before his 18th birthday. He served in the European theater and, when the victory was won, received his honorable discharge and returned to Detroit. Lewis lived in Detroit and worked at the Uniroyal Tire factory and was a union member. During his time in Detroit, Lewis married Marjorie Pine Rach with her two children Jerilyn and Ron. Soon after, Debra Lou Merrell joined the family. Some years later Lewis and Marjorie divorced, but Lewis was always faithful to maintain his relationship with Debbie and kept in contact with Jerilyn and Ron. Lewis retired from the auto industry and moved to Orange County, California where he resided for the remainder of his life.Lewis was an avid golfer, card player and fisherman. As a golfer, he maintained a single digit handicap for much of his life. Known as a "deadeye" putter, Louie also made three holes-in-one at his favorite course, Fullerton Municipal Golf Course. Lewis worked at FMGC until a few years before his death and was a coveted team member for many of the local tournaments, winning several. His favorite competition was the Thursday Skins Game where he helped handicap the teams. He loved to play cards of almost any kind. He would often go to Irvine for games of cribbage, gin rummy or "13" with Debbie, Howard and his grandchildren. Louie looked forward to attending the annual Merrell family reunion in Kentucky. He would always talk about the great bass fishing in the lakes and ponds around Madisonville, where the reunion was held.Lewis is survived by his daughter Debra Merrell Waters and her husband Howard Waters of Irvine, grandchildren Kimberly Waters Rheault and her husband Christopher Rheault of San Diego, Trevor Waters of Irvine, and great granddaughter, Autumn Grace Rheault. Also by three of his brothers and one sister: Paul, Marlon, Raymond, and Frieda who live in Kentucky and Texas; and by Jerilyn Smith and husband Ray Smith of Hemet, California and Ron Rach and wife Vicki Rach of Mt Clemons, MichiganLouie was a strong believer and often quoted his favorite verse: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). We know that Lewis is now in his eternal home with the Lord. He is loved and we will miss him. Funeral Information Service Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 2 pm, Saddleback Chapel, Tustin Burial at Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego

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