Victor Dallas Merrell
1936 -2019
Our sweet husband and father, Victor Dallas Merrell, peacefully passed away at home on February 21, 2019, surrounded by his eternal companion, Karen, and some of his children. His body was weakened by several strokes and he stayed as long as he could,only leaving when he knew he’d completed his earthly mission.
He was born on January 25, 1936, the oldest son of Victor and Beatrice Merrell. He had 8 siblings whom he loved and admired. As a young child Dallas made a resolution to himself, that no matter what happened in life he would always be a “good boy”. This decision created a foundation of integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness that never faltered.
Dallas was a true farm boy at heart. He gained his strong work ethic in the fields of Moses Lake, Washington. He only remembers taking books home from school on one occasion to do homework. After school that day he was so busy feeding and milking cows, planting and irrigating crops, weeding and harvesting that he decided it was a waste of time. When his older sister decided to leave home to attend school at Brigham Young University, Dallas jumped in the car and left the farm for college. He proved to be a stellar student who was selected as class president, a faculty member before graduation and eventually earned four degrees. He went on to be a published writer, a brilliant speaker and an expert on leadership. As hard as he worked to earn degrees and build a thriving career, he sacrificed it all to accept volunteer leadership positions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Dallas never met a stranger. He loved people and was comfortable asking about their lives and eventually about their faith. He loved being a missionary. He was often heard asking someone, “Are you a Mormon boy?” If they answered “no”, he would follow with the question, “Do you to want to be one?”
Dallas met Karen Dixon at BYU. They fell deeply in love and married after he returned from an LDS mission in the Great Lakes area. Together they had nine children. He loved sharing each children’s accomplishments with anyone who would listen. He writes of his children and grandchildren, “These kids are spectacular, every one of them.”
Karen followed Dallas wherever his schooling, work and church callings took them. Early married life took them to California for school, then to Washington DC where he worked as a business consultant and ran two campaigns for the US Senate, to Utah as a Mission President and Australia as a member of the Area Presidency for the Pacific. He and Karen also served as missionaries in Toronto and Sri Lanka. Their travels took them to the Vatican for visits with leaders of the Catholic Church. Together they traveled to numerous countries, but their favorite thing was to always come home and be where their family was.
Dallas and Karen were blessed to share 60 wonderful years together, experiencing the loss of a baby daughter, but rejoicing in welcoming 44 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren into their brood. Dallas was a soft and gentle father and grandfather who never raised his voice or disciplined out of anger. We never heard harsh words being spoken between he and Karen, which showed the respect and love they had for each other.
Dallas is survived by his bride, Karen Dixon Merrell and 8 living children: Ann Farnsworth, Kay Webster, Joan Swensen, Paul Merrell, Mark Merrell, John Merrell, Ilene Heninger and David Merrell. His infant daughter, Mary Merrell greeted him at the veil.
Also survived by his siblings: Elaine Roylance, Max Merrell, Mary Merrell, Dixie Waldrip, Jeanie Bailey, Marlo Merrell, David Merrell. He was preceded in death by little sister Vickie Sampson, his parents and his firstborn grandchild, Spencer Dale Farnsworth.
Funeral services are being held on Monday, February 25, 2019, at 11:00am at the LDS chapel located at 755 E Three Fountains Circle, Murray, UT 84107. There will be a viewing at the same location on Sunday, February 24th from 6:00-8:00pm and again at 10:00am on February 25th. Interment will be at Provo City Cemetery. Funeral services are provided by Jenkins-Soffe.
