Tyler Dewitt Merritt, 34, of El Paso, passed away on October 21, 2019. He was born on August 1, 1985 in Searcy, Arkansas. He was a 2003 graduate of Searcy High School and employed by Venture Equipment of Searcy.
Tyler is survived by his wife, Ashley Merritt, and daughter, Maggie Anne Merritt age 2; father, Steve Merritt (Heidi) of Beebe; mother, Charlotte Merritt of Live Oak, TX; father-in-law, Mark Richards (Christy) of Searcy; mother-in-law, Lesa Wilkinson-Richards of Bradford; sisters: Taylor Merritt of Live Oak, TX, Haley Washburn of Beebe; Annalise Merritt of Cabot; brother-in-law, Allen Richards of Bradford; grandmother, Frances Merritt of Searcy; grandfather, Charlie Jackson of Jacksonville; uncles: David Merritt (Kathi), of Searcy; Damon Merritt (Julie) of Judsonia; aunts: Kathy Merritt Garrison (Larry) of Searcy; Denise Kendrick (Robert) of Benton and a host of close cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Tyler was preceded in death by his grandfather, Douglas Merritt; grandmother, Bunny Jackson Ringer (Nana); brother-in-law, Bradley Washburn; uncle, Donald Graham; and nephew, Nicholas Washburn.
Tyler was an outdoorsman and avid duck hunter. He was an accomplished competitive duck caller and member of the Team Echo Pro Staff for many years. Over his lifetime, he won numerous duck calling titles. His first title was Junior World Champion at Wings Over The Prairie Festival in Stuttgart, AR which led to an appearance on Nickelodeon TV show “Figure It Out” where he stumped the celebrity panel trying to figure out his claim to fame. At 14-years-old, he won the Intermediate World Championship and later was a two-time winner of the Arkansas State Championship. He placed in the top ten Men’s World Championship several times and in 2009 was the first runner up. He appeared on Ducks Unlimited Television, Outdoor Channel, Arkansas Outdoors and for years in Echo Calls produced videos. He was also featured in the December 2003 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine.
Tyler lived life to the fullest! He was absolutely saved by Jesus Christ and is right now teaching his Savior Jesus Christ “double cluck” or that “sweet talk” those ducks like hearing so well. Heaven gained a sweet gentle soul who always was a giver. Tyler made a difference in so many lives and will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, an education fund is being set up at Simmons Bank for his greatest accomplishment in life, Maggie Anne Merritt.
Visitation will be Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. at West Race Baptist Church with arrangements handled by Sullivan Funeral Care.
