A Life Remembered
Obituary
Taylor Vinson Merritt, 34, of Bridge City passed away on Monday, June 10, 2019.
He was born on July 8, 1984 to his parents, Michael Merritt and Ronda Brightwell Merritt in Port Arthur, Texas. Taylor graduated from Orangefield High School and attended Lamar State College in Orange for two years. He served in U. S. Army and was deployed to Afghanistan, where he received two Purple Hearts. Taylor worked briefly at the Lower Neches River Authority.
He was preceded in death by his great grandparents, Martin and Jesse Merritt, Siva and Ernest LeBlanc, Dewey and Essie Mae Faulkner, grandparents, Woody and Beatrice Merritt, Walter Brightwell, Nell Brightwell along with his step-father, Thomas Wood.
Taylor is survived by his wife, Ashley Guyote Merritt of Beaumont, his step-son, Kaegen Morua of Beaumont, his step-daughter, Kaelyn Davis of Beaumont, his parents, Mike and Ronda Merritt of Bridge City, his two brothers, Mason Merritt of Atlanta, Georgia and Hunter Merritt of Bridge City, his niece. Maddy Merritt as well as nunerous aunts, uncles and cousins
Visitation will be on Saturday, June 22, 2019 from 9:00 AM till 10:00 AM at the Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. A service to honor Taylor’s life will be at 10:00 AM in the Thompson Memorial Chapel at Clayton Thompson. Arrangements for cremation are entrusted to Clayton Thompson.
Service Details
Gatherings in remembrance
Visitation
Saturday, June 22, 2019
· 9:00 AM
– 10:00 AM
Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors, 5200 West Parkway Street, Groves, 77619
Memorial Service
Saturday, June 22, 2019
· 10:00 AM
Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors, 5200 West Parkway Street, Groves, 77619
Messages of Love
From family and friends
Scott Hargraves
September 15, 2019
Sometimes I just don't understand! You will be missed, love you brother!
Michelle Smith Connor
June 23, 2019
My heart hurts for you and your
family.. I believe the last time we spoke was when you brought Karrah a replacement kitty for the one that was in your dryer vent that happened to be the little girls next door. You went out of your way to make sure Karrah had another kitten. That touched my heart.
You were one of my brother's best friends.. and there will always be memories of yall growing up
RIP love Michelle and Karrah
Jay &Amp; Jennifer Swindell
June 22, 2019
What a beautiful service today. Our thoughts and prayers for all of you and forever in our hearts.
George Snider
June 20, 2019
I was lucky enough to be there when you came kicking and screaming into this world. Watching you grow and mature into such a great person was one of the highlights of my life. All the times we spent on the water,in the woods and marsh. I always had to remind you that it wasn’t polite to outfish or outshoot Uncle George. But it made me proud when you did anyway. I will always cherish the time we had together. As Christian s we are called to believe that all in Christ’s love will be rejoined in heaven. Rest in his arms. See you again one day. Always. Uncle George.
Jerome Green Meangreen
June 20, 2019
Cant believe this happened to you brother. You were such a great and amazing friend. Someone I call my brother and I remember those days when we all were on Farah playing basketball during our Turkey bowl tournament. Feels like we all were just together and hearing this is really heart breaking. You will truly be missed by us all and I'll never forget those days in the 509th. Rest in Heaven brother.
David N Pam Die
June 20, 2019
So sorry for y’all’s loss, words can’t begin to say the words that you need to hear... we love you
Rhonda Germany
June 16, 2019
Though we loved you dearly, a golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST. We cannot judge what happens, though tears and questions start--We only see what's visible--God sees into the heart. These words of deepest sympathy are sent with the hope that as time goes by, cherished memories of Taylor will bring inner peace, and make him seem still very close to all.
Christopher West
June 16, 2019
Rip you will be missed.
Ken And Sherry Franz
June 16, 2019
Mike, Rhonda and family, we are so sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by knowing he is in his heavenly home and someday you will be with him again.
Prayers and hugs, Ken & Sherry
Dale Gage
June 16, 2019
RIP my friend
Matt Brown
June 16, 2019
It was a honor to know Taylor and to run back into him years after graduation as he worked at Saybolt with me for a brief time. May he forever Rest In Peace and I appreciate the good times we shared in life. To his parents, I offer my deepest condolences as I pray I never feel the pain of surviving my children. I know a deep part of your heart is lost forever. I promise to hug them every chance I can to help heal their hearts. To his wife and step children, may you each be comforted in God’s arms.
Shavone Bloodsaw
June 15, 2019
I met Taylor while he was staying at my place of work. He was a very nice guy and very passionate about his family. He always had a smile on his face. To his family my condolences and prayers for you all.
Ashley Marsh
June 15, 2019
Merritt was a great guy. I met him while my husband served beside him with the 509th out of Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. He always had a smile on his face. Always cracking a joke or saying something sarcastic. While deployed he would reach out to me on a regular basis and check on me. Made sure things back in the states were going well and to let me know my husband and the rest of the unit were safe. He meant the world to my husband and because of that he meant the world to me. They weren’t just friends they were friends of war. Something most of us will never understand. Merritt I just want you to know how much we are going to miss you. You were a blessing to anyone who met you. You were taken far too soon. I wish we had reached out more and known your struggles. To have been a hand in need or an ear to listen. May you Rest In Peace and May your family find comfort at this time.
Tricky Horton
June 15, 2019
Ronda and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my heart and prayers during this time of sorrow.
Robert And Laura Durkin
June 15, 2019
A tragic loss. Taylor was a true friend and a really good soul. I will miss the long talks and visits . Prayers to Rhonda ,Mike, hunter and mason.
Mary And Tim West
June 15, 2019
I will always remember the times Taylor would come to our house on Tanglewood. Taylor was my favorite friend of my son Wallace Smith. Their friendship continued. Wallace said he was my best friend. Taylor was always a gentlemen. Always sweet and loving to others. RIP my friend. My prayers our with his family.
Aunt Linda Shiflet
June 15, 2019
Taylor it seems as though you boys were 5 or 6 running and playing in the backyard, tackling each other, chasing with plastic bats, sometimes not plastic, changing crabs, throwing in truck bed just to watch the girls squeal. Those are my cherished memories. The boy turning to man, coming to my house sneaking the not legal age beer, drowning each other in the pool. The big step, taking the pledge to uphold the Constitution. There are no words to Express my deep love and pride of your choice. Although my heart and soul cries out, NO DONT GO. The day you got married, what great happiness and hope we had for you both. You are and always will be a fine American Man. Until we meet again Aunt Linda
Sergeant First Class Retired Nathan Savage Sr
June 14, 2019
I had the honor of attending The North Little Rock Arkansas Va class with Taylor and we often talked and texted after graduating. Our discussion was always about fishing and Scheduling a date to get back to Arkansas as a group again. For some reason we bonded. He will me missed but we will see one another again. My prayers to the family.
❦
Provided by
Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors
