Tom "Cowboy" Merrell

Tom “Cowboy” Merrell, age 83 of Paris, TN, died Friday, July 21, 2017 in Paris, TN.

He retired after many years as a construction worker for Dye & Stephens Construction Company in Paris, TN.  He also enjoyed helping at Houston Trucking Company.  He loved fishing, hunting, and riding four wheelers.

Tom was born November 26, 1933, in Springville, TN, to the late Carl Merrell and the late Lilly Johnson Merrell.

He is survived by two daughters, Sheryl (P.D.) Clendenin of Springville, TN, and Anita Merrell of Carthage, MS; he helped raise Donna Snow of Puryear, TN, and Roger (Norma) Carroll of Puryear, TN; two step-daughters, Gail Vickery of Paris, TN, and Joni Keesee of Paris, TN; two sisters, Lynn Tillman of Paris, TN, and Joy Dowdy of Paris, TN; two brothers, Bobby Merrell of Paris, TN, and Joe Merrell of Big Sandy, TN; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Marty Johnson and Margaret Rick; and two brothers, Jimmy Merrell and Kenneth Merrell.

The body is to be cremated.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St, Paris, TN.  The body is to be cremated.  Memorial visitation will be Friday, July 28, 2017 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, with the memorial service Friday, July 28, 2017, at 1:00 pm at LeDon Chapel of Ridgeway Funeral Home.

Burial of cremains will be in Poplar Grove Cemetery in Springville, TN, at a later date.

Memorial may be made to the Henry County Sheriff’s Department Animal Shelter, PO Box 639, Paris, TN 38242.