Loren Thomas Mercer

Loren Thomas Mercer passed away peacefully on May 20, 2023, with his family by his side, after several months of cumulative health struggles. He was born June 13, 1938, in Tacoma, Washington, to Carroll and Ruby Mercer. He grew up and resided in Shelton, Washington, from 1938 to 1957 and Olympia, Washington, from 1959 to 2023. After graduating from Shelton High School in 1957, Loren went from reserves to active duty in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He married his high school sweetheart, Lucile Whetham, on July 11, 1959. They would have celebrated 64 years of marriage this July. After Loren left the Navy, he worked various jobs before owning/operating a Radio Shack franchise, as well as the Grange Insurance Agency in Shelton, for nearly 30 years. Loren will be remembered as a man who, above all else, valued his faith in Jesus. He enjoyed serving in Awana and VBS at his church, Emmanuel Bible Fellowship, where he was a member for over 60 years. He loved spending time with his family, camping, fishing, gardening, bowling, watching westerns, and playing pinochle. He had a great sense of humor, loved a good clam bake, and always had a “thumbs up” and a smile. Loren was an active member and officer of local, county, and state grange for 63 years. He served as a volunteer for Olympia Junior Programs and was a former member of the Toastmasters and the Olympia Amateur Radio Society. He is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Lucile E. Mercer of Olympia; son, Keith Mercer (wife, Sandi) of Olympia; daughters, Shelley Mercer and Kerri Vincent (husband, Sean) both of Olympia; six grandchildren (and their spouses); three great-grandchildren; brothers, Ed Mercer of Olympia, and Roy Mercer of Sprague River, Oregon; sisters, Margaret Engle and Rose Rodriguez, both of Lacey. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carroll and Ruby Mercer; and sister, Dorothy Campbell. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Bible Fellowship, 2508 State Ave. NE, Olympia, WA 98506. Memorial donations in Loren’s honor may be made to Emmanuel Bible Fellowship. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.