Patrick Ray Merick

He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1992. He was a decorated sergeant and was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Training Ribbon. He also served in the Air National Guard.

Surviving is a son, Matthew Merick of Bloomfield; his father and stepmother, Harold and Brenda Merick; a brother, Randy Merick, and his sister, Sandy Campbell.

Formalities out of the way... Here is the real story of Peanut as seen in the eyes of his biggest fan, me... Sandy.

Peanut was born at a little over 1 pound in 1964, and immediately became a survivor. What a miracle he was to survive without all of the technologies we have now for premies. Of course, that's how he got his name "Peanut". Story has it, the first time my dad saw him, his first words were, "he's no bigger than a peanut".... tah dah.... "Peanut" was born.. He was a Peanut until he was in high school when he finally took his growth spurt. He went from the smallest one in his class from Kindergarten to 10th grade to the biggest one in his class. He finally quit growing at 6' 2" and a size 12 shoe. He was always the life of the party, never had a care in the world and could always find the good in a bad situation. The number of times he pulled me out of a funk just by a few words, he was truly an amazing person. He had a gift I've never seen in another and he was a friend for life. Peanut was one that was always doing something. We were raised on a farm and had cattle, horses and also row cropped. Our dad would say Peanut could be pulling a piece of equipment through the field and wouldn't know he lost it until he found it on his next round. He was always taking things apart just to see how they were put together and how they worked. There were actually a few times he could get it put back together, even if he did have a few extra pieces. According to him, they were just "extras". Dad has said many times, he could tear up a steel ball with a toothpick. He was a born "trader" of things. He always had some kind of "project" going. A few of those, he actually saw to completion, but not many! He would get bored and trade it for a new project. He came in one day and said he had traded for a 1960 something Mustang and it was a CREAM PUFF.... Oh my goodness.... You wouldn't have believed it. It had no glass, no doors, no interior or trunk lid. The engine was junk. I'm not even sure there was a transmission. From that day on, every time he traded for something, he was always asked.. is it a cream puff??? Shortly after graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was a decorated MSGT. He was a large aircraft carrier mechanic and worked on different models of aircraft with one being the C141, one of the US Air Force largest aircraft, used to deliver soldiers, equipment and supplies. He was serving during Desert Storm and was a valued soldier. He also served in the US Air National Guard. Peanut never met a stranger and he made many friends all over the world, and when you have a friend in Peanut, you have a friend for life. There is nothing he wouldn't have at least attempted to do for anyone! One of those friends was Daren Harvill. Daren would come home with him from time to time while on leave, and while he was a city boy and Peanut LOVED "exposing" him to the country life! Daren still talks about his experiences with Peanut to this day. That's the way Peanut was, you would never forget him, that's for sure! He also had many great friends from his younger days, that remained his friends to his final day. Rick DeLay and Keith Snider, between the 3 of those guys, there was little they hadn't gotten themselves in to! I could never thank the two of them enough for what they did for him in his final days. Peanut also loved ALL females, and at over 6', blonde hair, amazing green eyes and smile that wouldn't stop, most of them loved him as well.... at least for a while. LOL In 1992 one of his proudest moments came along, his son Matthew was born. He was absolutely beaming with pride. In 1994 he made the decision he wanted Matt to be close to the rest of his family and he moved his family back to our home in Bloomfield, where he spent the remainder of his life. Family was very important to Peanut. He was diagnosed with cancer and fought a hard fight, he used to tell me, don't stop fighting until you win.

Thank you for taking the time to read a brief story about Peanut. I would also love it if you knew him, to please share any stories you have of him as well!