Lester Merritt
Lester Merritt
Lester Merritt, 85, went to join his Heavenly Father on March 26th, 2013. He resided in Star, ID with his wife Shar Merritt.
Lester Merrill Merritt was born in Townsend, MT to Lessie and Ira Merritt on January 9, 1928. The family moved to Duwamish, Washington after his parents divorced. Les temporarily lived with his brother Ira J while attending school. His brothers, Ira J and Sylvan enlisted in the military. Les enlisted shortly after beginning his military career in the Merchant Marines at 16 years of age. He was a chief cook and baker. As a Marine, he served in WWII and the Korean Conflict. He served from 1945 to 1951. Les was very proud to serve his country. While on furlough , his brothers met the Campobasso sisters and fell in love. They resided in Republic Washington. When Les returned, he followed them to this remote mining and logging town. Les was very involved in the Toastmasters, he was the president of the Chamber of Commerce, he worked with his brothers in stock car racing, and was the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Spokane County. He ran for the House of representatives for the state of Washington. This was the start of his love for politics and his strong Democratic ties.
Les married Clarabelle Purdy and from this union had six children. That marriage ended and he moved to Boise, Idaho. He married Marion Edge. That marriage also ended. His last love of 38 years of marriage to Shar Merritt brought three more daughters from her previous marriage to the family.
Les was well known for starting Merritt’s Country Café with his wife Shar and children. In his previous years, Les also sold insurance and real estate. His greatest joy came when he began to train and run race horses at Les Bois Park. This lead to many racing adventures spanning from California to Iowa. This was one of his true loves.
Les was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Kay Hoxsey and Mary Lou Merritt, brothers Sylvan , Everett, and Ira J., and grandson Timothy.
He is survived by his wife Shar Merritt, Mark Merritt (Karen), Lonnie Merritt (Kathy), Mary Lou Merritt, Loni Ellis (Mark), George Merritt (Becky), Cami Jones (Mark), Laurie Harvey (Gary), Kay Merritt, and Wendy Merritt. He is also survived by his brother Cash Merritt (Roxanne), 24 grandchildren and 48 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be Monday, April 1st , 2013 at 1:00 P.M. Funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel located at 5400 Fairview Ave. Boise, Idaho. A military commencement will follow at The Idaho State Veteran Cemetery located at Dry Creek Cemetery at 3:00 P.M.
Flowers may be sent to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Chapter.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lester Merritt, please visit our flower store.
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