Merrill was born to Leonard Strong and Mildred Thompson Strong on November 5, 1942, in La Grande, Oregon. He was the fourth of five children. After graduating high school, Merrill Joined the United States Navy where he was able to travel and see the world. Once out of the Navy, he returned to La Grande where attended Eastern Oregon State College and graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. While working as a photographer on the school yearbook he met Janet Maureen Miller. They were married in Ontario, Oregon in 1967. After thier first daughter Sarah Ann was born, They moved to Boise in 1973. They had two more daughters, Rachel Maureen and Elizabeth Ann. After arriving in Boise, Merrill started his pottery business. Merrill designed and built a home foe his family where he lived until this past summer. Merill met and married Cherie Cobbett Strong on August 9, 1996 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together with Cherie, he continued to build his business, and travel extensively. He helped Cherie raise her two young children, Danielle and Joshua. Merrill worked for Bosie State University for almost 20 years as Night Supervisor of the Physical Plant. Merrill loved learning and continued his education at Bosie State University receving a Master's of Science in Instructional Design in 2000.
Merrill was an artist, a potter, photographer, designer, builder, and educator. He was best known for his pottery which has been sold to people all over the world. He served his church wherever he was called. He loved his temple work for the church. Merrill and Cherie had hoped to be able to serve a mission in their retirement. He loved to read, Boise State football, and technology. He took pleasure in simple things like going to the movies or going to Costco for a hotdog. Merrill loved his children, his wife, and his church.
Merrill is survived by his wife, Cherie Strong, his children, Sarah Bell of Salt Lake, Rachel Strong of Boise, Elizabeth Strong of San Francisco, Danielle Gillespie of Hawaii, and Joshua Cobbett of Boise; Also his six grandchildren, Holland and Kennedy Bosarge, Oliver and Isaac Strong, and Sadie and Taye Gillespie; His siblings Beverly Kirkwood, Carol Wilhelm, Myron Strong, and Alan Strong; Also his daughter-in-law, sisters-in-law. and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred Thompson Strong and Leonard Strong.
Merrill was born to Leonard Strong and Mildred Thompson Strong on November 5, 1942, in La Grande, Oregon. He was the fourth of five children. After graduating high school, Merrill Joined the United States Navy where he was able to travel and see the world. Once out of the Navy, he returned to La Grande where attended Eastern Oregon State College and graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. While working as a photographer on the school yearbook he met Janet Maureen Miller. They were married in Ontario, Oregon in 1967. After thier first daughter Sarah Ann was born, They moved to Boise in 1973. They had two more daughters, Rachel Maureen and Elizabeth Ann. After arriving in Boise, Merrill started his pottery business. Merrill designed and built a home foe his family where he lived until this past summer. Merill met and married Cherie Cobbett Strong on August 9, 1996 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together with Cherie, he continued to build his business, and travel extensively. He helped Cherie raise her two young children, Danielle and Joshua. Merrill worked for Bosie State University for almost 20 years as Night Supervisor of the Physical Plant. Merrill loved learning and continued his education at Bosie State University receving a Master's of Science in Instructional Design in 2000.
Merrill was an artist, a potter, photographer, designer, builder, and educator. He was best known for his pottery which has been sold to people all over the world. He served his church wherever he was called. He loved his temple work for the church. Merrill and Cherie had hoped to be able to serve a mission in their retirement. He loved to read, Boise State football, and technology. He took pleasure in simple things like going to the movies or going to Costco for a hotdog. Merrill loved his children, his wife, and his church.
Merrill is survived by his wife, Cherie Strong, his children, Sarah Bell of Salt Lake, Rachel Strong of Boise, Elizabeth Strong of San Francisco, Danielle Gillespie of Hawaii, and Joshua Cobbett of Boise; Also his six grandchildren, Holland and Kennedy Bosarge, Oliver and Isaac Strong, and Sadie and Taye Gillespie; His siblings Beverly Kirkwood, Carol Wilhelm, Myron Strong, and Alan Strong; Also his daughter-in-law, sisters-in-law. and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred Thompson Strong and Leonard Strong.
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