I last saw Merle in 2002 and 2003...whenever I was visiting the Mainland from Hawaii. He had MS and was in a nursing home in Arcadia during our 40th reunion. He wasn't well or strong enough to attend any events, but he had several classmates visit, which he enjoyed.
One time when I was there, he asked me to take the contents out of a bottom drawer. It was full of letters, cards, photos. He had kept everything, and he wanted me to read some to him.
I called him during the week following the reunion and was told his son had checked him out and taken him up north. I recently found him on an obit site and learned that he survived until 2008.
My connection to Merle was through music. We performed many times together--his gorgeous tenor voice with me as his (piano) accompanist. Our most recent conversations covered all our mutual acquaintances and experiences during the course of our musical lives.
Merle, I'm glad you're finally at peace. Blessings.
Remember Merle from football and track mostly - went by to see him in Arcadia, but had already left. Have thought about him a lot and wish would have been able to see and talk with him at least a little! Bill
I got to know Merle a little because he sat behind me in Chemistry. Then he sang for a school assembly. I was blown away; up until then I had no idea what a wonderful voice he had. We did not stay in touch but I hope his life brought him great joy as well as the sorrow of his illness.
Karla Fisher (Payne) (1963)
Merle sang at my wedding in 1967.I last saw Merle in 2002 and 2003...whenever I was visiting the Mainland from Hawaii. He had MS and was in a nursing home in Arcadia during our 40th reunion. He wasn't well or strong enough to attend any events, but he had several classmates visit, which he enjoyed.
One time when I was there, he asked me to take the contents out of a bottom drawer. It was full of letters, cards, photos. He had kept everything, and he wanted me to read some to him.
I called him during the week following the reunion and was told his son had checked him out and taken him up north. I recently found him on an obit site and learned that he survived until 2008.
My connection to Merle was through music. We performed many times together--his gorgeous tenor voice with me as his (piano) accompanist. Our most recent conversations covered all our mutual acquaintances and experiences during the course of our musical lives.
Merle, I'm glad you're finally at peace. Blessings.
William M 'Bill' Patrick (1963)
Remember Merle from football and track mostly - went by to see him in Arcadia, but had already left. Have thought about him a lot and wish would have been able to see and talk with him at least a little! BillMimi Hennessy (1963)
I got to know Merle a little because he sat behind me in Chemistry. Then he sang for a school assembly. I was blown away; up until then I had no idea what a wonderful voice he had. We did not stay in touch but I hope his life brought him great joy as well as the sorrow of his illness.