Robert Lee Merritt, 85, of North Ogden, Utah, passed away peacefully, at home in his own bed, in the arms of his loving wife, and next to his devoted dog, with family nearby, at 12:35 am, January 1, 2016. The cause was congestive heart failure. He was a very good man, blessed by God to leave this life for the next, that way. Bob was born on December 22, 1930, in Minden, Nebraska, to Emerson and Mabel Merritt. He was an only child, raised mostly by his grandmother and grandfather. Bob had always beat the odds, surviving crashes, three prostate cancer surgeries, several heart surgeries, massive heart attack, and falls resulting in a broken pelvis, rib and back. He had a wonderful English sense of humor, a lifelong passion for God, a love for the United States, Britain, anything with wheels, a motor, world travel, mechanics, science, literature, history, animals, scale modeling, and his small family. Bob served in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1953. He attended the University of Idaho, the University of Utah and Weber State University. He also worked at Hercules Powder Plant with nitro and the Bureau of Reclamation. He was a loving, faithful husband to Gloria, a good father to his daughter, Connie Lee Merritt, a proud father to Justin (Wendy) Scott of North Ogden, Utah, and Jennifer (Rob) Johnson of Eden, Utah. Bob raised them as his own almost their whole lives and taught them all he could. He loved his six grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kameron, Karson, Ashley, Colby, Skylar and one great-granddaughter, Spirit. Robert and Gloria met at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, in the Directorate of Distribution, in 1973, both being career DOD employees. They married on December 21, 1975. Bob lived long enough to share their 40th wedding anniversary, his 85th birthday, Christmas, the New Year, 2016, and to have last loving visits with family. Bob and Gloria lived 11 years in England, working for our government, he as Chief of Budget, at RAF Alconbury. They made lasting friends and memories there. It was our great adventure and Bob was our great teacher. Preceding Bob in death were his parents, Emerson Lee Merritt and Mabel Lucille Merritt and Bobs only child, Connie Lee Merritt. The family wishes to thank Dr. Grant Holland of McKay Dee Hospital, his cardiology team who kept Bob alive the past 15 years, the North Ogden EMTs and the Veterans Administration. They would also like to thank CNS Hospice, their church family, extended family and friends for their dedicated support. Private Military Honors were given to Robert by the Veterans on Thursday, January 7, 2016, at Leavitts Mortuary, 836 36th Street, Ogden, Utah, during cremation, at 3pm, with prayers by Reverend Kim James. Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 22, 2016, at 3pm, at the First United Methodist Church, 1339 West 400 North, Marriott-Slaterville, Utah (I-15, Exit 346). Family will greet friends from 2 to 2:45 pm. A meal will be served afterward, by ladies of the church. Donations may be given to the Humane Society of the United States in Roberts honor. Thank you. Please send condolences to the family at: ogdenfumc@aol.com or www.leavittsmortuary.com Visitation Information Date: Friday, January 22, 2016 Time: 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm First United Methodist Church Address: 1339 West 400 North, , Marriott-Slaterville, UT, | Map First United Methodist Church 1339 West 400 North (I-15, Exit 346) Marriott-Slaterville, UT Service Information Date: Friday, January 22, 2016 Time: 3:00 pm - First United Methodist Church Address: 1339 West 400 North, , Marriott-Slaterville, UT, | Map First United Methodist Church 1339 West 400 North (I-15, Exit 346) Marriott-Slaterville, UT Family will greet friends from 2:00 - 2:45 pm. A meal will be served afterward, by ladies of the church.