Merle Whitlock

Merle Eugene Whitlock, 89, of Grants Pass, OR died under hospice care while at Sweetpea Retirement Living on August 31, 2024.

He was born in Oakland, California in 1935 to Carl and Ellen Whitlock and, as the first of two sons, was the apple of his parents’ eye. He grew up in Richmond where he rode his bike everywhere, and playing baseball was his passion. Merle joined the U.S. Army in 1954 and went to work for the US Postal Service after his honorable discharge from the Army, later retiring with over 30 years of service. 

Merle met the love of his life, Virginia, at a church social in Richmond when they were in their early teens. Years later he was the letter carrier for the route that included Virginia’s home. They courted and married in 1958, moved to Pinole in 1959, and moved to Grants Pass in 1969. 

Merle and Virginia couldn’t wait to start a family, and their girls meant the world to them. They enjoyed extended family camping vacations with the California relatives at lakes around Oregon and Northern California, water skiing on the Rogue River, and had a rich family life.

Everyone who knew Merle knew that he loved kites, trips to the beach, membership in the Corvette club, hiking the Cathedral Hills Trails, waterskiing (he was a fabulous water skier), and collecting Lladro, Kincaid paintings, guns and coins.

Merle is survived by his sister-in-law Carol and niece Karen; his daughters, Laura (Steve), Pam (Chris), and Jana; and four grandsons.

Merle was preceded in death by his wife Virginia, and his brother Gary.

Please share a memory of Merle in his Guestbook.