After her father's death in 1929, the Merrill Family moved to Mesa, AZ where Irma completed her high school education, graduating from Mesa High in 1935. During her high school years, Irma performed in an a cappella trio "The Trio" or Dot, Liz & Irm, (Dorothy Ray, Elizabeth Phelps & Irma).
The Mesa High Trio was named by Lavier Gardner – MHS Student Body President when he introduced them, quickly this way, during a student assembly at the last minute. The Trio went on to perform with the Henrich Schumannheink Orchestra at the Westward Ho Hotel and sang on a weekly radio program on KOY Radio each Saturday morning (Jack Williams, former Governor of Arizona was then Program Director of KOY).
Irma went on to graduate from Northern Arizona University in 1939 and received her first teaching assignment in Ashfork, AZ. After 1 year she returned to Flagstaff to teach 1st Grade at the South Beaver School for 3 years. In late summer of 1943, Irma moved to Ajo Arizona to teach school where she remained teaching 1st grade until 1979 when she retired after 38 years. Irma married Arthur Roy Fullagar in July of 1946. After his death in 1988, she married J. Lorenzo Smith in 1990, who preceded her in death in 2003.
She is survived by a son, Christopher (Robyne Bunker); a daughter, Rebecca, three grandchildren; a brother, William B. Merrill. Visitation will be from 6-8p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13th, at Bunker's Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Services will be at 10 am, Friday, Dec. 14th, at the Kimball East Stake Center, 4640 E. Holmes, Mesa, with visitation one hour prior to the services.
After her father's death in 1929, the Merrill Family moved to Mesa, AZ where Irma completed her high school education, graduating from Mesa High in 1935. During her high school years, Irma performed in an a cappella trio "The Trio" or Dot, Liz & Irm, (Dorothy Ray, Elizabeth Phelps & Irma).
The Mesa High Trio was named by Lavier Gardner – MHS Student Body President when he introduced them, quickly this way, during a student assembly at the last minute. The Trio went on to perform with the Henrich Schumannheink Orchestra at the Westward Ho Hotel and sang on a weekly radio program on KOY Radio each Saturday morning (Jack Williams, former Governor of Arizona was then Program Director of KOY).
Irma went on to graduate from Northern Arizona University in 1939 and received her first teaching assignment in Ashfork, AZ. After 1 year she returned to Flagstaff to teach 1st Grade at the South Beaver School for 3 years. In late summer of 1943, Irma moved to Ajo Arizona to teach school where she remained teaching 1st grade until 1979 when she retired after 38 years. Irma married Arthur Roy Fullagar in July of 1946. After his death in 1988, she married J. Lorenzo Smith in 1990, who preceded her in death in 2003.
She is survived by a son, Christopher (Robyne Bunker); a daughter, Rebecca, three grandchildren; a brother, William B. Merrill. Visitation will be from 6-8p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13th, at Bunker's Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Services will be at 10 am, Friday, Dec. 14th, at the Kimball East Stake Center, 4640 E. Holmes, Mesa, with visitation one hour prior to the services.
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See more Fullagar Smith or Merrill memorials in:
- City of Mesa Cemetery Fullagar Smith or Merrill
- Mesa Fullagar Smith or Merrill
- Maricopa County Fullagar Smith or Merrill
- Arizona Fullagar Smith or Merrill
- USA Fullagar Smith or Merrill
- Find a Grave Fullagar Smith or Merrill
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