John David Merrell Jr

Dave, 80, died January 17, 2023 after a long battle with dementia.

He was born on June 19, 1942 in Brigham City Utah, the son of J. D. Merrell Sr. and Marian Alice Nielsen Merrell.

Dave graduated from Box Elder High School in the class of 1960. He joined the Army National Guard and following that he attended Utah State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He went to work at Thiokol working on the Space shuttle solid rockets motors retiring after 30 years. His favorite pastime was flying in his gliders and airplanes, the last a 172 Cessna. He also spent years skydiving, belonging to a team that competed in the world competitions in Europe. He loved golfing and fishing. He was on the Box Elder Search and rescue scuba diving team.

He married Doe Becker and was later divorced. He then married Joye Neilson Page in 1997 and lived for a short time in Willard and then moved to Perry.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a younger brother William Ray.

Surviving are, in addition to his wife, are his daughter Misty Ann Merrell Gunsay (Metin) and his eight grandchildren along with his step son Jeffrey David Page (Nicole). He is also survived by his sisters Judy Ann Merrell Hartvigsen (James), Jana Dee Merrell Chase (Mike) and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at a later date.