Dale Merriman, 72, passed away Aug. 6, 2022, with his children by his side in Aubrey, Texas.
Dale was born Aug. 28, 1949, in Woodbury, Tennessee, to William “Dick” and Willie Matt Merriman. Dale spent his days as a child playing with his three siblings in the hollers of Hollis Creek.
When he was old enough, he enrolled in the Army and served in the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1970 as a part of the 101st Airborne Division, Heavy Artillery. Dale was awarded the Bronze Star for his outstanding meritorious service in connection with ground operations against hostile forces in Vietnam. When he came back from Vietnam, he moved to Oklahoma to pursue other dreams, eventually settling into a career as a tow truck driver for Exclusive Collison & Towing in Yukon, Oklahoma.
Dale was an upstanding, heroic man and that was acknowledged again in 1997 when he received The Towman Commendation for Courageous Professionalism in the Endeavour to Save a Human Life.
He enjoyed his retirement, spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. In his free time, he loved to be at the BMX track, play with his grandchildren, watch WWE and football and eat Moon Pies.
Dale is survived by his wife of 24 years, Brenda; his three daughters, Becky, Shelly and Sally; his son, Jimmy; six grandchildren – Cody and Jacob Jarvis, Hannah and Austin Merriman and Carolyn and Declan Maclaskey; and two great-grandchildren; his sister and her spouse, Betty and Jerry Reed. Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Linda Merriman.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Dale Merriman; his sister and her spouse, Garnett and Charlie Campbell; his brother, Lonnie Ray Merriman; and both of his parents, William “Dick” and Willie Matt Merriman.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Brother Greg Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in the Prater Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation with his family will be held Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Call Woodbury Funeral Home at (615) 563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories with his family, please visit https://www.woodburyfuneralhome.net.
