Patrick R Merrick

Patrick Raymond Merrick, 76 passed away on Monday, August 27, 2018, at his home in Warren. He was born September 9, 1941 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Joseph and June Boyd Merrick. Patrick was a 1959 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and received his B.A. degree in Education and Psychology from Newberry College SC and a Master’s in Education from the University of Dayton. He began his teaching career in 1967 at Joseph Badger High School in Kinsman. He then taught U.S. history and world history at Warren Harding from 1967-1970 and from 1970-1973 at John F. Kennedy High School. In 1973 he began teaching in the Niles school system at Washington Junior High and at Niles McKinley High School.

He started his coaching career as an assistant football coach at Mid Carolina High School in Prosperity, SC in 1966; assistant football coach at Warren Harding from 1967-1970; assistant football coach at Kennedy High School from 1970-1972; assistant football coach and offensive coordinator at Niles McKinley from 1973-1977 and as assistant football coach and defensive coordinator from 1981-1984; was a head baseball coach at Niles; served as Athletic Director at Niles; assistant football coach at Warren Harding from 1984-1986. After retirement he was an assistant football coach at LaBrae High School.

Patrick was a member of the Niles Classroom Teachers Association, the Ohio and National Education Associations, and the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association; Trumbull County Coaches Association, and the YMCA. He was a current member of the Warren Moose and the Slovak Club. He was inducted into the Trumbull County Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and enjoyed golfing, gardening and yard work, watching all sports especially the Ohio State Buckeyes and played in adult softball leagues and taught water exercise classes at the YMCA.

While attending Newberry College, he was named to the All-Carolina Conference team three years; All N.A.I.A. District 26 team and Little All American two years; and was named Most Valuable Lineman at the school two years. Patrick received the Kirkland Conference Blocking trophy and the Duval Award as best athlete in college. He was named to the Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Soon after his graduation from Newberry College, Patrick was invited to and took part in the Cleveland Browns’ rookie camp as a free agent in 1967. Although the Browns had invited him back the following year he chose to continue with his career in teaching and coaching at the high school level. In 1989 he was inducted into the Newberry College Letterman’s Club Hall of Fame.

Memories of BIG D will be carried on by his wife Martha Packard Merrick at home, son, Patrick P. (Dinoree) Merrick of Rocky River, OH, daughter, Cori (Stephen) Tate of Vero Beach, FL, granddaughter, Valentina Merrick, grandson, Santino Merrick, granddaughters, Mia Tate and Lily Tate, brother, Gerald T. (Susan) Merrick of San Diego, CA, sister, JoEllen “Dolly” Giroux of Willoughby, OH, brother-in-law, Harry L. Packard of Leavittsburg, OH and his faithful dog, Boo.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Merrick, mother, June Merrick, brother-in-law, Dale Giroux and brother-in-law, Charles D. Packard, sister-in-law Nancy H. Packard and in-laws, Delmar A. and Mary Jane Packard.

The family will receive friends Friday, August 31, 2018 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home with a memorial tribute to follow by nephew Keith C. Packard. His family asks that anyone wishing to add to the tribute are welcome to do so at that time.

His family suggests contributions be made in his memory to the Warren Family Mission or the donor’s favorite charity. The family also asks that you raise a glass (or a beer) and make a toast to “Moochs” memory.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland-Barbee Family Funeral Home, 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandbarbeecares.com to view this obituary and send condolences or order flowers.