Donald Lloyd Merrill was born February 11, 1935 in Woodward, Oklahoma, the only child of Lloyd Alvah Merrill and Clara Joanna (Briix) Merrill and grandson of Perry Everton Merrill and Eunice Frances (Tabler) Merrill and Robert Gustav Briix and Katherine Genevieve (McCarty) Briix. He passed from this life January 26, 2025 in Tulsa at age 89. He had been in good health all of his life and in the end suffered a massive stroke. Don was very smart, full of wit, and maintained long friendships with all that knew him. Throughout his life, he maintained his sense of humor, joy and loving nature to all who knew him.

He attended public schools in Woodward, Oklahoma. At first, he rode his pony, King, sometimes along with his dog, Spot, to a one-room school house near the Merrill farm, where his favorite teacher was Mrs. Barton. She taught everyone the love of reading, writing and arithmetic. Later he progressed and attended school in town and became very popular and active in various groups including FFA - attaining status as Junior Master Farmer, treasurer and reporter; WHS Student Council -serving as Representative and Vice President; Sophomore Class Vice President, Junior Class Vice President, selected to attend Oklahoma Boys State in his junior year and graduated from WHS in May of 1953. He then attended Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater and obtained his B.S. in accounting. At which time, he received his Masters (M.S.) degree in accounting, there was a university name change and he received two diplomas from both Oklahoma A & M and Oklahoma State University. Don was active in many clubs at OSU and served in ROTC - later becoming a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and later spending 10 years in the Oklahoma National Guard Reserves, retiring as a Captain. Many two-week summer drills or Annual Training over the years were spent in Texas and Georgia.

Don became a CPA in 1968, and began working initially for Boeing in Wichita; Exxon in both Tulsa and Houston; a large accounting firm in Tulsa before venturing out on his own accounting practice - Donald L. Merrill, CPA. Later he added becoming a realtor in Tulsa and enjoyed listing and selling real estate. His professional life was always dedicated to helping others.

A life-long Methodist, he joined Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in the 1967, was active in the singles Sunday School class and joined the Chancel Choir in 1971. He sang many years in "Lessons in Carol" and served on the Church Finance Committee for almost 30 years. Don was member of the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants, National Association of Realtors, Tulsa MLS Association, a former Midwest Regional Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions- Tulsa, Kansas City and St. Louis, the Summit Club and Elks (B.P.O.E) member for over 60 years.

He had many interests which included spending time in nature; an accomplished musician himself - his love of music was immense - whether just listening or playing the piano and organ in school and church growing up or attending musical concerts and Tulsa Opera and Tulsa Symphony; grilling on the deck; riding horses in his youth; working in the yards at both his homes; traveling abroad in Europe and the United States and loved visiting many states including Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, New York, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and especially Hawaii on numerous vacations. Don kept the family farm in Woodward and he and Ken always enjoyed entertaining friends, visiting, caring for and relaxing there as often as possible.

Don is survived by his husband, Ken Oliver, of over 40 years, and numerous cousins. A happy life together was their greatest accomplishment.

The service to honor the life of Donald Lloyd Merrill will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, 1301 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119. Memorial donations may be made to Boston Avenue United Methodist Church or your favorite charity.