Donald "Jim" Merrick, 83, of Ashton, passed away May 20, 2015 at Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg of natural causes.

He was born November 7, 1931, in Blackfoot, Idaho, the son of Charles and Billie Merrick.

He married Pearle Grube on May 1, 1953, at the Ashton Methodist Church.

He graduated from Ashton High School and received a Bachelors Degree in Education from Idaho State University in Pocatello.

He served in the military during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he farmed with his father. Farming did not work out and so he leased ground at the old Wendell Bridge where he owned and ran Jim's Boat Dock in the summer. During the winter he taught 6th grade in the Pocatello school system. He later taught adult Indians on the reservation, was an underwriter for Farmers Insurance and finished up his working career with the State of Idaho Health and Welfare.

He was past president of the Eagles organization in Pocatello and a member of the American Legion in Ashton.

He loved hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening and traveling. He also loved spending time camping with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Pearle; two sons, Don (Nancy) Merrick of Park City, Utah, Jerry Merrick of Yucca Valley, California; three grandsons, a granddaughter, two great-grandsons and a great-granddaughter; and Michelle and David Pisarski.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, at the Ashton Community United Methodist Church with Pastor Greg Lindsay officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services.