- Date Of Birth: July 10, 1937
- Date Of Death: October 14, 2017
- State: Idaho
Born July 10, 1937, in Aberdeen, Idaho, to Karl and Wanda Duffin, Merril was the second of seven children. Merril grew up on a family farm in Aberdeen working with his father and siblings. From these experiences he developed a love of the outdoors. Merril spent many hours hunting and fishing with his brothers, LaMar and Grant. Merril also enjoyed cars and would spend his free time repairing engines. Merril attended Aberdeen High School where he was actively involved in varsity football, basketball, and baseball. He was a letterman in each sport.
Following his graduation from Aberdeen High School, Merril moved to Logan, Utah, where he attended Utah State University. He then moved to Salt Lake City to attend Utah Electrical College, where he majored in Metrology. After graduating from Utah Electrical College, Merril began his career working at Sperry Rand Corporation where he met Patricia Tschaggeny. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 31, 1960. Merril’s career took him to various cities throughout the west before settling in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Merril and Pat had five children. The couple later divorced.
Merril worked at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory near Idaho Falls. Following his retirement from the Laboratory, he traveled extensively, working as a consultant throughout the United States.
Later, Merril met and married Caroline Shaunna Thompson.
