Obituary Jimmy Ray Merritt, age 61, lifetime Atoka County resident, was born on Wednesday, August 16, 1950, to Robert and Irene Sally (Davis) Merritt, at Atoka, Ok. Jimmy passed away on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at Caney, Ok. He graduated High School. Jimmy was a Truck Driver. Jimmy proudly served his country in The Army earning a Sharpshooter Combat Infantryman badge, a Bronze star medal with two overseas bars, a Vietnam service medal, an Army commendation medal, a National Defense Star and a Vietnam campaign medal. He was a member of the 1st Cavalry Sharpshooter, enjoyed riding Harley Davidson motorcycles and noodleing. Jimmy was a foster dad, he loved his children Jimmy is survived by his ex-wife and mother of his children, Donna Parrish Merritt of Caney, Ok.; children, Nichole Thacker and husband Jonathan of Durant, Ok., Hannah Merritt of Caney, Ok.; mother, Irene Sally (Davis) Merritt of Atoka, Ok.; siblings, Nancy Coates and husband Dwight of Atoka, Ok., Lucille Broughton and husband Ocie of Atoka, Ok., Alice Hunt and husband Jesse of Atoka, Ok., David Allen Merritt and Teasha Milton of Atoka, Ok.; grandchildren, Xoe Nicole Thacker of Durant, Ok., Jay Daniel Thacker of Durant, Ok.; foster children, Kaitlyn Mills of Alderson, Ok., Ashley Mills of Alderson, Ok.; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends. Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, Robert E. Merritt; mother and father in-law, Harry and Barbara Bigelow; sister-in-law, Cheryl Pittman; niece, Sherri Broughton. ****************************************************************************** DATE OF SERVICES: 2:00 PM Monday, March 12th, 2012 PLACE OF SERVICES: Brown's Funeral Chapel, Atoka, Oklahoma OFFICIATING: Bro. Ralph Crow INTERMENT: Highhill Cemetery, Caney, Ok. CASKETBEARERS: Flint Sutton, R.J. Rains, J.W. Williams, Mike Bedford, Jeff Rector, Darrin Joe Duckworth HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Ted White, Buddy Pittman, Sarah Bray, Glen Noack, Dale Sheffield, Twana Osborne, Greg Osborne, Tenadore Anderson CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET. PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE FAMILY NIGHT SUNDAY 6-8 SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BROWN'S FUNERAL SERVICE - ATOKA, OK