Rex Lee Merritt

     Rex Lee Merritt, 78, has gone fishing! On April 25, 2026, he passed peacefully at home.

     Born July 3, 1947, in Wendell, Idaho, Rex found his greatest peace in the quiet of nature and the humor of everyday life. From his honorable service in the US Navy (1969-1973) to his long career as a Union Pacific Railroad engineer, Rex was known for a work ethic as steady as the trains he drove. But those who knew him best will remember him for his quick wit, his giving heart, and the way he could brighten a room with just a smile. Whether he was casting a line into a quiet lake or hunting in the Idaho backcountry, Rex was at home in the outdoors.

     He leaves behind his children—Rex Merritt Jr., Leslie Merritt, Kevin Merritt, and step-daughter Melissa Shobe—along with ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

     He is survived by his siblings Larry Merritt, Clell Merritt, and Rita (Merritt) McGrath, and joins his parents Frank and Marguerite, and his brothers Floyd and Marvin, in rest.

     As we say goodbye to Rex, we do so with hearts full of love and gratitude for the lessons he taught us and the joy he brought to our lives. He will be dearly missed but forever remembered by all those he touched with his gentle spirit and unwavering kindness.

     A celebration of Rex's life will be held on Friday,  May 8, 2026, at 1:00 PM at  Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

     Burial will follow at 2:30 pm at the Jerome Cemetery in Jerome, Idaho.

     Family and friends are invited to gather to honor and remember a remarkable man whose warmth and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rex Lee Merritt, please visit our floral store.