With deep sorrow we share that Paul James “Jimmy” Merritt, 77, of Oak Ridge, NC, peacefully joined his loved ones in Heaven on November 28, 2024.

Son of the late Paul Samuel and Helen Walker Merritt, Jimmy grew up in Oak Ridge and spent many days working the family’s tobacco farm there. He graduated from Northwest Guilford High School and went on to study architecture at Oak Ridge Military Academy and drafting at Forsyth Technical Community College. He served his community as a volunteer firefighter and EMT, and impacted the lives of over 20 children as a foster parent.

After attending senior prom as their first date, Jimmy shared a beautiful love story spanning 58 years with his surviving beloved wife, Sandra “Sandy” Johnson Merritt. Their family and hearts grew to include the other loves of his life - a daughter, Amy Merritt Dillon, and two grandchildren, Sawyer Dillon and Jessie Dillon, all of Oak Ridge.

A hard-working farmer, cowboy, and the local mail carrier for 30 years, best known for his gentle, fun-loving and generous spirit, Jimmy’s smile will be missed by many. Never still, if he wasn’t on the dance floor, singing or playing an instrument, getting up a rook game, riding a horse, skiing or pulling someone behind his Ski Nautique, you would find him talking about White Lake adventures or Corvettes, tending to Dixie Girl Farm or quietly stepping away to help a friend or family member in need.

The only thing bigger than his love of life, people, and his family was his unwavering faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His life was his testimony to anyone who met him, but his faith was also evident through his lifetime membership to the church, his service as a church deacon and through his voice as a member of the choir and various gospel groups.

Whether you knew him as “Jimmy”, “Jimbo”, “Bodie”, “Super Skier” or “DeeDee”, we would love to hear your favorite memories and hope you will join us in celebrating his life at 1:30pm on Saturday, December 7th, at the fellowship hall at Union Grove Church, 5424 Union Grove Road in Oak Ridge, followed by a service in the sanctuary then interment in the church cemetery.

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com.

Donations may be made in his memory to www.Horsepower.org of High Point or www.AuthoraCare.org Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro.