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John Dudley Merritt, Jr.
March 10, 1947 - September 26, 2022
John D. Merritt, Jr. passed away on Monday, September 26, 2022, at the age of 75. He was born on March 10, 1947, in Wilmington, NC. Johnny grew up in Freeport, Texas, and graduated from Brazosport High School in 1965. After high school, he joined the military to serve our country in the United States Army. Post military, he continued his education, earning a bachelor's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. Johnny pursued a career in education while following his passion for health, fitness, and athletics, becoming a coach.
Coach Merritt worked for several schools, including Clute and Lake Jackson Intermediate, Albright Middle School, and Livingston High School, but his time coaching varsity football and track at Alief Hastings High School was the most special to him. He cherished his lifelong connections with past players and was proud of the men they had become.
Johnny married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Sue Taylor. After high school, the two went their separate ways. During a military leave of absence, Johnny returned home for a weekend, saw Sue out on the town, and had a note sent to her on a napkin that read, "I have never stopped loving you". The rest is history.
Johnny and Sue had two boys, Scott and Michael. He dedicated his life to those boys spending countless hours hunting, fishing, exercising, and practicing baseball. He never hesitated to drop what he was doing to spend time with the boys. Johnny also had a beloved golden retriever named Sadie. If you've known Johnny over the past 10 years, then you also know Sadie. She was his sidekick, walking buddy, camping excursion partner, and even his golf caddie.
Johnny was preceded in death by his father, John Merritt, and his mother, Willie May Rice-West.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Taylor Merritt, son, Scott Merritt and daughter-in-law, Jeannette Merritt, son, Michael Merritt and daughter-in-love, Tisha Obregon, grandchildren, Preston Merritt and Anne-Marie Merritt, sister, Louise McNally, and brother, Marty Merritt.
Johnny's legacy stretches beyond his family, having coached and mentored hundreds of student-athletes over his 27-year career, but his ultimate legacy is the strength of the family bond he created with Sue and the boys. It was only fitting that in his final hours here on earth, he was surrounded by the legacy he created.
Rest in peace Johnny Merritt, we love you so much!
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm at the Lakewood Funeral Chapel - 98 Dixie Dr, Lake Jackson, TX 77566.
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Bill Marshall
I first met Johnny in the 9th grade at Lake Jackson Junior High. We were on the 9th grade basketball team. Johnny was a better player than I was. I still have bleacher blisters!!! I remember when we went to BHS as sophomores that we were trying out for the basketball team. We had 4th period P.E. which was nothing more than a dodge of the UIL rules on when you could start basketball practice. The Varsity was scrimmaging the second day of school. Any way what we did was a lot of exercises for increasing basketball skills. We would scrimmage the other sophomores after we finished with the exercises. A lot of times it was LJJH guys versus FJH guys. Sometimes the scrimmages got heated.... If I remember correctly Johnny went on to play Junior Varsity and Varsity Football during our Junior and Senior years. Johnny went to Stephen F. Austin State University and I saw him a few times there. I would see Johnny at the reunions and we would talk about our current lives. I got to play with Johnny and Marilyn Muchowich at one of the Reunion Golf Tournaments. Had a great time with those two. Not sure, but I think Marilyn was the better golfer on our Team. Had some good laughs and shared stories while we played. I had moved to the Hill Country outside of Kerrville and Fredericksburg and Sue called us up and we met Johnny, Sue, Larry and Kathy (Harrelson) Linscomb in Fredericksburg for lunch....great time again was had by all. I had not seen Larry or Kathy in 45+ years. The last time I saw Johnny was at Stuart Lee's funeral last summer.
Johnny was a good man, served our Country, raised two sons, husband to Sue, BHS Classmate,coached many young men, and had a great outlook on life. Will always remember the "Merritt smile".
REST IN PEACE JOHNNY.
Sammy Sapp
Sad to hear about Johnny. he was a good man.
Mike Lane
I was very sorry to hear of Johnny's Passing. My heart goes out to Sue and their family. I did not get to go to the service because of business, and i regret not going, as i missed Dale's, Stuart's and others because of Covid. All were football teammates and good friends. I had many good times with all of them, from football to the Angeleton fairgrounds dances and a lot more, some i will not discuss. I hope that they all are playing touch football in Heaven and that at some point i will again be with my teammates.
Mike