Maxie Thomas "Tommy" Merritt, 75, passed from his earthly life into his heavenly home on Thursday, February 10, 2022, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Tommy was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on Thursday, January 9, 1947, to Maxie Theodore and Mary Bethunia Abbott Merritt. He attended Little Rock Central High School, graduating in 1965. He was elected Vice President of the Student Body, nominated to be voted on as Tiger Beau, voted as Most Courteous, and was a delegate to Boys State. After graduation, he attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

He loved hunting and trout fishing on the White River. He coached the Salem American Legion Team and valued the continued friendship of his players. He was a past member of the Salem Park Board, a current member of Benton Lodge #34 F&AM, a member of the Saline County History and Heritage Society, and the Ivan Hunting Club.

Tommy had worked for the Auditor of State's Office, International Graphics and retired from Arkansas Graphics. After retirement, he got his Certified Real Estate Appraisers License and appraised real estate for 20 years until his health forced his retirement in February of 2022.

He is predeceased by his parents and granddaughter, Erin Michelle Merritt.

He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 46 years, Leslie Snow Merritt; three sons, Arnie Shilling (Suzan), Andy Shilling (Sheri) of Alexander, Arkansas, and Brent Merritt (Lindsey) of Elk River, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and his very special friend, Mark Barnes of Fordyce who was more like a brother.

The family wants to give a special thanks to Dr. Mendelshon at CARTI, the nurses on the tenth floor at Baptist Hospital, and all the nurses and caregivers from Arkansas Hospice for the exceptional care give to Tommy. We will be forever grateful. And to all of your friends and family who have reached out with their words of encouragement and especially the prayers. It was very comforting to know how special Tommy was to all who knew him. He will forever be missed.

A private service will be held at a later date under the direction of Dial and Dudley Funeral Home of Bryant, Arkansas.

Donations in Tommy's name may be made to Saline County History and Heritage Society: P.O. Box 1712 Benton, Arkansas 72018-1712.