Hugh Allen Merrill

Hugh Allen Merrill passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Saturday, September 14, 2019 in Phoenix at the age of 74, after a long battle with frontal temporal lobe dementia.

Hugh is survived by his wife, Diane, daughters, Charlotte Merrill (Priscilla); Kimberly Merrill; Sandy (Kelly) Boyce; son, Henry (Baby) Merrill; grandchildren, Olivia, Jagger, Mia, Nick, Kassandra, Katherine, Andrew, Grace, Leona, Sarah; great grandchildren, Adda, Issac, Lucy and siblings, Zola Merrill Whiting, David Elmore and Karen Sue Elmore Parker.

Hugh was preceded in death by his siblings, Glen "Buster" Merrill, TA "Bud" Merrill, Perry "Buck" Merrill, Dee J Merrill, Edgar Merrill, Lona Merrill, Grant Merrill and Ned Merrill.

Hugh was born in Eagar on May 14, 1945, the son of Hubert Merrill and Zena Merrill Elmore. After graduating from Round Valley High School in 1963, Hugh worked as a cowboy for Chase Treywick until he was drafted in the United States Army. He served two years in the Army then set up his own, very successful farrier business. He also managed a horse ranch at the same time, preparing the foals for the racetrack.

In 1982 he moved to Australia to run a 1000 sq. section cattle station in the Northern Territory. After the station was sold, he returned to Arizona to become the fat cattle manager for McElhanney Cattle Co in Wellton. After leaving McElhanney Cattle Co., Hugh worked for Mechenbier Ranch in New Mexico before returning to work for WMIDD until he retired.

He was a loving and dedicated husband and father, traveler and adventurer, music lover, and true cowboy.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Udall Pond, 388 N River Road, Eagar. Interment will follow the funeral services at Eagar Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Wellton Community Center Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer/Dementia Care Org. are requested. The tribute page can be found at http://act.alz.org/goto/Hugh_Merrill.