Gary Leroy Merrifield

Gary Leroy Merrifield was born in Salida on September 8th, 1936, to Charlotte and Roy

Merrifield. After graduating from Buena Vista high School in 1954, he joined the US Navy and

served 2 years. He attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado and graduated with

a business education degree in 1961. While still in college and on Christmas break in January

1959, he married Betty Nell Deering from Arlington, Texas. Soon after graduation, he went to

work at the Buena Vista Correctional Facility and was in charge of the gym and organizing

activities for the inmates. Before long, he moved on to become a parole officer. After retiring

from the correctional facility in 1992, he proudly served on the Sangre de Cristo Electric

Association Board for decades and on the Tri State G & T Board. Gary loved his country, his

family, loved and lived for hunting, fishing and playing golf. He was a member of the Salida Elks

Lodge and the VFW in Buena Vista. He served many years on the Buena Vista golf course

board , serving since the golf course was originally formed. Gary is survived by his wife Betty

Nell, his two sons Glen (Bonnie), and Steven (Sandy), six grandchildren and eight great

grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held for Gary on Saturday, December 2, at the Buena Vista VFW at

12: 30 p.m. Please join us and bring a story to share.Gary Leroy Merrifield was born in Salida on September 8th, 1936, to Charlotte and Roy

Merrifield. After graduating from Buena Vista high School in 1954, he joined the US Navy and

served 2 years. He attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado and graduated with

a business education degree in 1961. While still in college and on Christmas break in January

1959, he married Betty Nell Deering from Arlington, Texas. Soon after graduation, he went to

work at the Buena Vista Correctional Facility and was in charge of the gym and organizing

activities for the inmates. Before long, he moved on to become a parole officer. After retiring

from the correctional facility in 1992, he proudly served on the Sangre de Cristo Electric

Association Board for decades and on the Tri State G & T Board. Gary loved his country, his

family, loved and lived for hunting, fishing and playing golf. He was a member of the Salida Elks

Lodge and the VFW in Buena Vista. He served many years on the Buena Vista golf course

board , serving since the golf course was originally formed. Gary is survived by his wife Betty

Nell, his two sons Glen (Bonnie), and Steven (Sandy), six grandchildren and eight great

grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Gary on Saturday, December 2, at the Buena Vista VFW at

12: 30 p.m. Please join us and bring a story to share.

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