Emmett Coleman Merricks

Emmett Coleman “EC” Merricks, Jr., 80, of Charlotte went home to be with the Lord April 2, 2016 at CMC Main hospital. The quote on his hospital room door was “In dreams and in love, there are no impossibilities” Preceding him in death were his father, Emmett Coleman Merricks, Sr; his mother, Desley Allen Merricks; wife and mother of his children, Millie P. Merricks; son, Maxwell E. Merricks; daughter, Susan K. Merricks; and brother, James A. Merricks. Emmett was born in Danville, Virginia on December 9, 1935 and grew up in Reidsville, North Carolina and graduated in 1954 from Reidsville High School, where he excelled in music, cheerleading, and driving school buses. He played the tuba sousaphone and was chosen “Most Talented” and was also chosen as a member of the Key club and a member of the National Guard. Upon graduation, he attended East Carolina University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Math and serving with Navy ROTC during that time. Emmett married his college sweetheart, Millie, and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, serving proudly for twenty years in Quantico, Cherry Point, Hawaii, and Florida with two tours in the Vietnam War. Following his honorable transfer from MCAS, Cherry Point, Emmett went on to proudly serve in the HQCO.HQSVCBN FMFLANT Norfolk, Virginia until he was honorably discharged to retire from the military and work as a commercial airline pilot with Sunbird Airlines and director of operations for CCAir. After retirement, Emmett enjoyed working with computers, restoring old cars and radios, bird watching, flying kites, and traveling with the Roads Scholars program. Surviving are his son, Patrick Merricks of Winterville; daughters, Vicki Reter of Raleigh and Pam Blake of Charlotte; brothers, Wallis Merricks of Reidsville and Bob Merricks of Winston-Salem; and grandchildren, Cole, Sydney, Cameron, Cally, Joe, Marin, Zack, Anna, and Lauren. Emmett loved his children and grand-children deeply and was fiercely protective of each and every one of them. In keeping with Emmett’s wishes, there will be a small service held with his close family and friends, on Saturday, April 16th at 1:00pm Reidlawn Cemetery, North Carolina, with Pastor Bob Jack officiating and military graveside rites performed by the Rockingham County Honor Guard with assistance from the US Marine Corps. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, 15000 York Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28273 or the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph St. Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203