Arthur Merrick was born and raised in Great Falls. His father, Arthur Sr., was a professional musician and bandmaster, and Arthur grew up playing classical and jazz piano. Arthur was a skilled athlete; his high school basketball team won the Montana state championship. In 1936, he enrolled at the University of Montana and majored in wildlife technology. Arthur was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, played varsity basketball and tennis and was a senior honor student. As a musician, he fell in love with jazz, playing piano in a jazz combo and performing throughout his life.
Arthur earned a commission as second lieutenant in the Army infantry through ROTC. In December 1941, he was called up to active duty and assigned to the 41st Infantry Division, which represented Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. He was shipped to the Pacific campaign in 1942 and was in active combat in New Guinea and the Philippines until the end of the war. Arthur was wounded in action and awarded a Purple Heart, as well as the Silver Star for courageous action. He was wounded twice more and awarded the Bronze Star and two presidential citations. After the war, he served with the Army Reserves for 25 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1971.
In 1945, Arthur married Judith June O’Brien, from Lewistown. They were together for 63 years until her passing in 2009. He returned to school and earned his Ph.D. in physiology at the University of Missouri in 1954. He taught there until 1968, and taught at Illinois State University until 1972. He then worked as a research grant specialist at the National Heart and Lung Institute in Washington, D.C., until his retirement in 1985. In 2006, Arthur and June returned to Montana.
Arthur and June were lifelong travelers and spent every summer exploring national parks in the U.S. and Canada. They loved northern Montana’s Sun River Canyon area, where Arthur spent much of his life fishing and hunting. Other lifelong interests included Montana history, western American art, coin collecting and golf.
Arthur was preceded in death by his wife, June, in 2009. He is survived by five children, Lynne, Kathryn (Happy Feder), Christopher (Teresa Baker), Jill and Kelly (Javier Mouriz); and five grandchildren, ZuZu and Texel Feder, and Zachary, Justin and Jack Mouriz.
The family invites you to join them for a service of remembrance for Art at 3 p.m. today in The Forum Room of Touchmark, 915 Saddle Drive. Private burial with military honors will be held at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Memorials may be sent in Art’s name to the Big Sky Honor Flight, P.O. Box 80201, Billings, MT 59108; or to the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, P.O. Box 5715, Helena, MT 59604. To offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Art, please visit below.
Chris Teeter & Donna Checkett says
To Kathy and family,
We were so sorry to read of your father’s passing. We fondly remember the wonderful dinners and conversations at your parents’ home in Columbia. They were always interested in the world around them but especially in their children. We were happy to have been included.
We were fortunate to be with our parents at their passing and know how much joy you must have felt having them near you in their final years.
All our love,
Chris and Donna
Robert L. & Mary F. Russell says
To all of Art and June’s family,
What a great couple your parents were. I was a graduate student the same time that Art was. We got our Ph.D.s the same year and traveled together to present our research at the Federation Meeting of biologists in Atlantic City, N.J. in 1954. We taught together for years, hunted together and partyed together – what a great jazz pianist he was. I also got to meet his parents and hear his father play the piano.
Our son, Brett, who was a classmate of Bill, was the dentist for them while they were back in Columbia – he has some great stories about their wit while in the dentist’s chair .
Our Kindest Regards
Bob and Mary Fran
JoAnn Koeppe says
This is JoAnn Koeppe writing. I was so sorry to read in the Columbia Tribune yesterday about Art’s death. Owen and I were long time friends of your parents, when we first met at social events of the Univ. of Missouri Medical School back in the late 50’s. Even though your folks left for other positions we kept in touch over the years. Art and Owen were long time pals on the Med. Science Bowling Team! We reconnected back in Columbia in 1992 and visited often until your folks moved back to Montana and Owen and I moved to Lenoir, the retirement village here in Columbia. Owen died in 2010 , just a year after your Mother. Your Dad and I kept in touch through Christmas cards and I did get a nice card and note from him last December. Your parents were wonderful caring people. I think of them a lot and remember the good visits we enjoyed over the years.
Most Sincerely,
JoAnn Koeppe
Margie Sable says
Dear Chris and Teresa,
I read your dad’s obit in the Columbia Tribune and wanted to express my condolences to you and your family. It was so interesting to read about his life. I now see where you got your love of jazz. His influence contributed to the music on KOPN back in the day! I hope that you are doing well. Let me know if you ever get back to COMO.
Love,
Margie (aka Rosie)
Jill Spady says
Kathy, Lynn, Chris, Jill and Kelly,
Forgive me for not finding out until today about my beloved friend’s passing. I am truly heartbroken.Please, accept my deepest sympathy. Your dad was a wonderful friend to me and i will miss him very much
Love, Jill