Merrick Money
Merrick “Mickey” Money passed away Thursday morning April 19, 2012 surrounded at home by family members. Services will be held at 2:30 PM Sunday at Highland Terrace Baptist Church with Dr. Bobby Atkins and Rev. Michael Walker officiating. Interment will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturday at Highland Terrace Baptist Church. Coker-Mathews Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Merrick was born in the Kinser Community north of Greenville on January 28, 1922 to Edgar Money and Eula Bea (Lytle) Money. He was a lifetime resident of Hunt County. On June 28, 1947, he married Leta Bench, the love of his life for 64 years. Together they had four sons and one daughter - Wayne Money and wife Sandy, Kenneth Money and wife Mitzi, Terry Money, Dale Money and wife Cecilia, and Gail May and husband Phillip. Mickey and Leta had 15 grandchildren - Curt Money and wife Dawn, Jeff and Kevin Money, Stephanie Lewis and husband Marc, Brent Money and wife Heidi, Angela Collins and husband Ben, Landon and Jordan May, April Scott and husband Steve, Daniel, Aaron, Timothy, Mitchell, and Adalyn Money, Patrick Money and wife Kristin; and 14 great-grandchildren and one on the way.
He is also survived by two brothers Donnie Money and wife Donna, Ronnie Money, sister Patsy (Money) Lewis and husband Charles, and brother-in-law Corky Hall and beloved nieces and nephews.
Merrick served in United States Air Force during World War II. He was a small business owner and operator in Hunt County from the 1940’s through1980’s.
Much of his working career was spent as a public servant to the citizens of Hunt County where he served first as Hunt County Commissioner Precinct 1 from 1953 to 1961, then for several years in the Hunt County Tax office. Finally he held the office of Hunt County Justice of the Peace beginning in October 1970, and retiring from that position in 1990.
He coached a Little League Baseball Team in Hunt County for eight years in the 1950’s. In May 1977 he received the Rotarian four-way test award. This award is given to a citizen who is not a Rotary member and who has performed outstanding service to the community. In June 1988 he was appointed to the personnel Education Committee for the Justice Court Training Center of Texas for three-year term. .
In July 1990, the Hunt County Commissioners Court signed a proclamation declaring August 11, 1990 as Merrick (Mickey) Money Day for his remarkable abilities and insights of leadership and to honor him for the valuable work done throughout his career in public service to the citizens of Hunt County in numerous capacities, including 20 years of promoting and helping put on the Hunt County Fair. He was honored on that day as the Grand Marshall of the Hunt County Fair Parade.
During his lifetime he was a member of the Celeste Lions Club, Greenville Lions Club, Pythian Lodge, Greenville Optimist Club, and I.O.O.F. He served as auctioneer for the Greenville Kiwanis Auction for approximately 10 years. He was a member of West Texas, North Texas, and East Texas Justice of the Peace and Constables Associations; and a lifetime member of the Texas Justice of the Peace & Constables Association of Texas.
Merrick was an active and faithful member of Salem Kinser United Methodist Church for many years and more recently of Highland Terrace Baptist Church.
Mickey was a man with a passion to enjoy life and to help others enjoy it too. This passion was most evident in his vision and establishment of Money Lake as a place to host and entertain family, friends, and guests. Literally thousands of guests have enjoyed his events which have included reunions, fish fries, country dances, seasonal parties, swimming and boating outings, fishing tournaments, church services, holiday meals, weddings, political rallies, campouts and more.
Those who knew Mickey knew him to be a small man with a BIG heart. He was full of energy, enjoyed every minute of life, and counted every day as a blessing from God. He approached life with a positive attitude and was able to find a silver lining even in the darker clouds of life. He saw the good in people that others overlooked. He gave energy and encouragement to others through his wit, laughter and light-heartedness. He was a man of many friends and truly never met a stranger. He loved his friends and community. He cherished his family and adored his wife Leta.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant brother Ray Allen Money, and two sisters Serena (Money) Compton and Lillie (Money) Hall.
His eleven grandsons will be pallbearers. Clyde Dennis and James Bland will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Highland Terrace Baptist Church Building Fund, 3939 Joe Ramsey Blvd., Greenville, TX 75401.
