Alan Merritt

Our dear daddy passed away in his sleep with his daughter and young grandson by his side after a brave battle with cancer.

Alan was born in Afton, Wyoming to Laura Ashment Merritt and Desmond E. Merritt. He lived a life of hard work, adventure, danger, courage, generosity, love and faith in our Redeemer Jesus Christ.

He served in the Army National Guard for 6 years during the peak of Vietnam. He was a qualified expert marksman and the fastest Mile runner in his division of approx. 12,000 soldiers at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

He was a true modern-day mountain man and Wyoming cowboy, spending several years as an expert big game hunting guide and trailblazer through the Tetons, once surviving the summit with 110 mph winds and gusts of 170 mph.

He worked for a movie Company showing nature films in theaters by travelling across the U.S. and Canada in his 1968 Corvette. During these adventures, he survived being held at gunpoint and again at knife point.

For 11 years he regularly braved up to 40 below weather as a lineman for Lower Valley Power & Light helping keep Star Valley in power. He worked for St. George Energy Services for 20 years and would brave up to 115 degree weather working on the power poles. In 1987 he became the town hero and saved many people in an apartment complex from an electrical fire during which his legs and feet were mangled in a firetruck ladder. He then became a powerplant operator for the City of St.George. In 1988 he saved the lives of nearly 15 bungee jumping spring breakers. He refused demands to reenergize the crane entangled power lines until protocol was strictly followed and he had visual confirmation that all people were clear.

He was an Author of the memoir Heaven Helps Out.

He was married for 18 years to DeAnna Walker (Merritt) Padilla with whom he had 4 children. He was later married to Marlene Bowman Merritt for 10 years. He spent his last 8 years of life as a devoted father and grandfather.

Loving father of 4: Shayne Merritt, Troy Merritt, Lance (Angie) Merritt, Sabreena (Jay) Elggren. Doting Grandfather of 15: Briana, Caiden, Austin, Jaz, Josh, Matthew, Melissa, Shelby, Abbygail, Myah, Dakota, Ben, Jeff, Elysia & Noah. Big brother to 4: Travis (the late Jewel) Merritt of Brigham City, Faye (Dale) Aullman of Thayne, Rhonda (Manuel) Pena of Shelley & Aaron (Lisa) Merritt of Afton.

Memorial Graveside Service open to the public in the Afton, Wyoming Cemetery on Saturday July 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.