Douglas “Doug” Merritt, 71, was born to LaVerne and Maxine Merritt in Turlock.  He passed away at home on Monday.

He attended local schools and graduated from Turlock High School in 1965, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball.  He enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1966, and after his discharge in 1968 he completed two years at MJC.

Doug married Beverly Erickson in 1968.  They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April.

A service engineer at CSUS for 36 years, Doug retired in 2004.  

He belonged to the Turlock Golf & Country Club for a number of years, and he and Beverly enjoyed traveling.  They vacationed in Spain, Mexico, and Hawaii, and they also went on a number of cruises.  He frequently went to the coast, especially Pismo Beach, Monterey, and Cambria.

Doug is survived by his wife, Beverly, son Christopher (Shauna) Merritt, daughter Jenny Merritt, and grandchildren Casey, Rylee, and Brody.

Memorial donations may be made to Covenant Care Hospice, 125 N. Broadway, Ste. 1A, Turlock 95380. 

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thur., Jan. 18, at Turlock Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 19, at the same location.  Private entombment will follow at Turlock Memorial Park.