James William Merritt, 83, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Private memorials services will be held at a later date.
Mr. Merritt was born July 8, 1938, in Coffee County, Georgia, to the late William Sloan Merritt and Azalea Sayer Thompson. He had lived in the community the past 50 years and was owner and operator of a trucking business. Mr. Merritt loved hunting, fishing, farming and taking care of his animals. Mr. Merritt served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era.
He is survived by his children: Lisa L. Lee & Rodney, Brent Merritt and Jodi Williams & Adam; eight grandchildren: Joey Petro, Ashley Petro, Luke Merritt, Katie Merritt, Morgan Spivey, Mason Spivey, Madie Spivey and Macie Spivey; two great-grandchildren: Madison Spivey and Emmalynn Spivey; two siblings: Connie & Don Clemons of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and Joseph & Joyce Merritt of Fitzgerald; Several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Anne Merritt West, Robert Lee “R.L.” Merritt and Chalmes Pridgen.