Kenneth Merchant

Kenneth Merchant of Tallahassee, age 96, passed away on October 2, 2022, after a long and happy life surrounded by his family. He was born March 8, 1926, to George B Merchant and Edith Kasper Merchant in Great Barrington Massachusetts. In 1958 he married the love of his life, Angelene Melvin. Since he was a career Army sergeant, they moved to many places until he retired in 1969, at which time they moved to Tallahassee Florida. During his Army career, he served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, in which he served as a helicopter mechanic. He was also stationed in many places throughout the United States, as well as in Japan, and a year in Thule, Greenland. After moving to Tallahassee, he worked for the City of Tallahassee for many years at the Tom Smith and Lake Bradford Rd treatment plants as a maintenance supervisor. Kenneth loved to travel and enjoyed camping and fishing. He also enjoyed country music and made numerous trips to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry. He enjoyed working in the yard and doing home projects, and he was a very good mechanic. Most of all he loved being with his family. He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Angelene Merchant, his parents and his siblings, Marion Wilcox, George “Bud” Merchant, Rodney Merchant and Jean Curtis. He is survived by his daughter Linda Hargrove (Alton), son Melvin Merchant (Kate), brother Robert Merchant, grandson Wade Hargrove (Dacia), granddaughter Page Hargrove, and great- grandchildren Mallie Leary (Andrew), Jewel Hargrove, Wesley Hargrove, Tony Hargrove, and his step grandsons Matt Brackett and Daniel Brackett (Rachel) and step great-grandchildren Hayden Brackett, Madison Brackett and Abby Brackett. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Services will be held on Friday October 7,2022, at Bevis Funeral Home Chapel with visitation starting at 10:00 – 11:00 am (ET) and the funeral at 11:00 am (ET). Interment will be held at 1:15 pm (CT) at Bethlehem Baptist Church cemetery in Kynesville, Florida. Jared Padgett of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com).

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Kenneth Merchant

March 8, 1926 - October 2, 2022