Donald Leigh Merz

Donald Leigh Merz, a.k.a. Papa Don, was born on March 2, 1941 in Garden City, KS and passed peacefully at his home on April 8, 2023 at the age of 82 with his wife, Cinda and all of his children gathered around laughing and telling on themselves from their adventures growing up in Guymon, OK.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Arnold Merz and Bonnie Maxwell Merz of Satanta, KS, brother Dick Merz and wife Phyllis also of Satanta, KS, grandchild Fray Bryan Merz, and great-grandchild Babe Andrew Merz.

Don is survived by his wife, Lucinda Lou Merz, a.k.a. Granny Bugs, his four children Gregory Merz and wife Candice of Roundup, MT, Dusty Turner and wife Amy of Edmond, OK, Wendy Bailey and husband Grant of Tomball, TX, and JT Merz and wife Erlena of Napoleon, OH.

He was also blessed with many grandchildren and one great-grandchild, hence where the name Papa Don came from: Heath Lee, Jorge Bea, Justus Andrew and wife Brittny and their son Bocephus Andrew, Kiahnna Trippa, Everett Valon, and Maclain Grant (children of Gregory); Ransen Don and Cashen Jo (children of Dusty); Larkin Shannon Simpson and husband Reece (children of Wendy); and Madison Macalle, Karston Mallone, Triston McGuire, McKinley Mirabella, and Brexton Mitchell (children of JT).

Papa Don is mostly known for his witty sarcasm, his quirky little smile, and his love for all things sports, especially KU Men’s Basketball. You can guarantee if there was a college basketball game on TV, he was watching it (and probably betting on it with Arnie.) He also dearly loved sitting in his blue swing in their absolutely gorgeous backyard oasis, trapping squirrels, watching his wind spinner, and soaking up some rays (before Granny Bugs yelled at him to put his hat on!) His love for his wife, Cinda, and his four children was immeasurable. All he cared about to the very end was “take care of Big Mama.” Not a bigger heart will ever be found in another human being.

Services will be held on Friday, May 5th with a military burial at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 9:30am and a Memorial Service at Berardinelli Family Funeral Home at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made directly to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://rb.gy/sordx, a charity organization that Don felt strongly about as he was a Private E-1 in the Army and served our country in the Vietnam War from February of 1966 to February of 1968.