ADAMS CENTER, NY — Merrick M. Reed, 68, of Adams Center, lost his long, hard fought battle with Neurosarcoidosis on July 15.
Calling hours will be 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at the Carpenter Stoodley Funeral Home in Belleville. The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 20, at the Adams Village Baptist Church.
Merrick, son of the late Mary Ellen and Chauncey Reed, grew up on the family’s dairy farm in Adams Center and attended South Jefferson High School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science at Cornell University where he was on the Varsity Crew Team, a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and still helped out on the family farm.
In 1972, he married his high school sweet heart, Pamela Sinclair. They spent several newlywed years managing a dairy farm in the Hudson Valley, but within a few years moved back to a home on the farm. Merrick tested the love of his, wife who grew up in town, by starting a farrow-to-finish swine operation, in addition to a full time teaching career at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES. A barn fire in 1987 ended the hog farm, but he continued to instill his hard work ethic and life skills in his 4 children by helping them keep a hobby farm.
He leaves a legacy, not just in his family, but in all the students he has taught for 37 years, first in Agriculture and the FFA program, and then Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance, all at BOCES. Merrick spent his time not working on the farm or teaching, fixing farm equipment for his brothers and neighbors. He never said no to anyone in need, and traveled with his mobile service truck and a kid or two to get farmers going again, day or night. At one point, he also did the service work for the local Schwann’s Depot fleet and enlisted the help of the kids washing them every Sunday. Merrick also found time to spend many years serving on the Credit Union Board and volunteering countless hours of service with his wife and kids doing booster club fundraisers, petting zoos and 4-H programs including the Jefferson County Fair, where Pam still supervises the Livestock shows.
His greatest joy in life came from spending time with his family, especially the grandkids, and his dogs. He never lost his extraordinary sense of humor, and was telling puns and jokes until the end. It’s always too soon to say goodbye, but his spirit will carry on in all of the lives that he has touched.
Merrick is survived by his wife, Pamela (Sinclair), his children: Bryan (Maria Jose), Jeffrey (Hannah), Carrie (Greg), and Kelly Reed. His siblings, Connie (Carl) Snow, Dan (JoAnne) and Alan. His brother Mason preceded him in death. He is also survived by seven grandchildren (Callum, Hailey, Sophia, Cambell, Olivia, Cameron, and Mason), and many nieces and nephews.
Many thanks to Merrick’s caretakers and friends, who have assisted in his care for the past few years, many of whom have become like family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help cover medical expenses (See link on Carpenter Stoodley Funeral Home Website). Any funds received beyond his medical costs will be donated to Neurosarcoidosis research.
Online condolences may be made at www.carpenterstoodley.com.
