Thomas Edward Merriss

Thomas E. “Tom” Merriss, Decatur, GA lost his fight with pancreatic cancer on Friday, October 5, 2018 a few months shy of his 80th birthday. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Helen. He is survived by his daughters Peggy Merriss, Decatur GA; Ann Merriss Pavlik (Dana Bayes), Lilburn, GA; Stefanie Merriss Porter (Frank Maddalena), Modesto, CA; and his sons Michael Merriss (Jennifer), Covington, GA and Brian Merriss (Gretchen), Bridgeton, MO. Grandchildren include Joshua Cruthirds, Eric Merriss, Joshua Merriss, Matthew Merriss (Megan) and Jeremiah Henaifesh (Megan). Tom was born in Covington, KY to Worth and Hazel Merriss and grew up in Birmingham AL and Nashville, TN. He graduated from St. Bernard College in Cullman, AL and sold business systems for the Reynolds & Reynolds Company, where he was primarily based in Columbus, GA. He was an avid tennis player and later took up pickleball and he was part of the inaugural City of Decatur Active Living Pickleball program where he helped others learn the game. He was also a proficient bridge player, playing several times a week. He loved watching sports and was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves. He was also a world traveler and always looked forward to going places.