Allen Clay Merz

Allen Clay Merz, Lieutenant Commander USN (retired) of Tucson, Arizona passed away March 21, 2021 in Green Valley, Arizona of natural causes. He was 97 years old, born December 23, 1923 in Maysville, Kentucky, the son of Watt Dunn Mers and Harriet Washington (Arnold) Mers. Allen was preceded in death by his wife Minta Elizabeth (Lowe) Merz in 2003 after 59 years of marriage. Allen is survived by his children Clarence A. "Butch" Mers (Carmen), of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Mark E. Mers of Tucson, Arizona and Deborah K. Mers Acuna (Shane) of Amado, Arizona: 8 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Allen joined the United States Navy out of high school in 1941 in Kentucky and went to pilot training. His USN experience included flying the P2V Anti-submarine Airplane at the end of WWII, a C-54 cargo aircraft in the Berlin Airlift, resupplying the base in the Antarctic and he flew the Secretary of the Navy around the world. During his Navy career he had the privilege of meeting several Admirals icluding Admiral Nimitz and two Presidents of the United States-President Truman and President Eisenhower. After retiring from the Navy, Allen took up golf and won several tournaments in Arizona as well as the amateur Division of the Seniors Open in Memphis, Tennessee in 1983. At differnet times in his life he built 6 houses,3 in Maryland and 3 in Tucson. His expressed desire was not to have a funeral or memorial service. He will be cremated and his urn placed in the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Marana, Arizona. If you choose to honor Allen please make donations in his name to the Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or call 718-987-3909 for more information.