Merritt Frederick Felmly

Merritt Frederick Felmly was born on August 14, 1943 in Saginaw, Michigan to parents Frederick and Leona Felmly.  The family moved to Wayne, Michigan in 1952 where he graduated from Wayne High School.  It was there that he met and eventually married his high school sweetheart, Joann Henry Felmly.  While in high school, he was a part of the drama club and a member of the chorus.  He toured South America and Mexico as a tenor vocalist with The Michigan Choral.

Merritt attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois where he earned his bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology.  He continued to use his vocal talent while touring Europe with the Wheaton College Glee Club.

Merritt and his wife Joann moved to Waco, Texas in 1965 where he earned his Master’s Degree and PhD in psychology from Baylor University.  He was the Humanities Department Chair at McLennan Community College where he was a professor of psychology until the early 1980s.  He continued to work as an industrial management consultant in Waco and when they moved to Plano, Texas in 1994.

Merritt was an active parishioner, choir member, and Vestry member at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Waco as well as Christ Church Plano.  He went on mission trips to Peru, participated in Small Group, and Men’s Bible Studies.   He was a member of the Plano Civic Chorus and performed many concerts locally and abroad.

Merritt loved watching the Dallas Cowboys, Baylor Bears, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Mavericks.  He enjoyed playing golf with his friends and his son.  He and Joann traveled the world in recent years.  He was well known for capturing wonderful photos that he loved to share with friends and family.

Merritt was well loved and loved well.  In a conversation with his daughter during his short battle with cancer Merritt said, “We all need to stick to together.  We will see each other again on the other side of all this.”  He will be joyfully remembered as an ambassador of love for people, Jesus, friends and his beloved family.

He is survived by his wife Joann Felmly; his daughter, Ann Renee Evans and her husband Jeff; his son, Frederick Felmly and his wife, Amy; grandchildren Laura Beth Leveridge, Kaitlyn Leveridge, Noell Felmly, Kendra Felmly, Malcolm Felmly, Audrey Evans, Shelby Evans, Jeffrey Evans, Henry Stanley; great grandson, Kai Felmly-Rodriguez; sister, Doris Miank; brother-in-law, Leonard Henry and his wife, Ruth; brother-in-law, James Henry and his wife, Joyce; and nephews Charles Henry, Robert Henry, Steve Henry, David Henry, and Matthew Henry.

There will be a Memorial Service at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at Christ Church. 4550 Legacy Plano, Texas 75024.  A reception will follow.  Inurnment will be in the Christ Church Columbarium.

If it is your wish, the family suggests memorial donations, in Merritt's name, to either of the following organizations:

Christ Church Plano, 4550 Legacy Drive Plano, TX 75024   Phone: (972) 818-0222 https://christchurchplano.org/give/

Plano Civic Chorus. P.O. Box 864411 Plano, TX 75086  Phone: (972) 606-5220 https://www.planocivicchorus.org/support-pcc.html