John Dennis Merrill "Jack", 78' died peacefully at home on November 28, 2019 after battling cancer for one year.

Born on March 23, 1941 in Salisbury MD to Paul Hope Merrill and Thelma Mae (Burkey) Merrill, Jack outlived younger brother Michael Wayne and is survived by younger sister Thelma Mae.

After being raised in the eastern U.S. he joined the U.S. Coast Guard at age 21. He graduated as a certified Physician's Assistant from Duke University in 1976. He continued to serve in the Coast Guard for twenty-five years and retired as CWO-4. Jack continued his work as a PA until he was 75 years old.

Jack was a knowledgeable man with many skills and interests. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golfing. He used his artistic talents in wood carving and painting, took art classes at a local college and had work displayed at Gloucester Art Gallery.

Jack loved his church family and was a long time, faithful member at Bellamy United Methodist Church, where he sang bass in the choir, taught Bible study classes, served as lay leader and more.

Jack was a loving husband and father. He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Nona K (Elwood) Merrill, daughters Melissa Sue (James) Netzel, Jane Elizabeth (Paul) Chaucer, Mary-Kathleen Merrill, Patricia Marie (Matthew) Morgan, Nicole Faith Merrill, son Christopher Hope Merrill and eleven grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Bellamy United Methodist Church, 4870 Chestnut Fork Rd, Gloucester VA on Sat, December 7th at 11 am. Inurnment will take place in the spring at Albert G Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA. Jack's desire was that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Bellamy United Methodist Church, 4870 Chestnut Fork Road, Gloucester, Va. 23061. Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.