Don Merritt Sr Dies

An entertainment and business figure in the Brainerd Lakes Area passed away Thursday night.  Don Merritt Sr. died at his Florida home at the age of 79.

Merritt was a 17 year musician in St. Louis.  He later added his trombone to The Garden Avenue Seven in Clearwater Florida.  In the lakes area he had the Don Merritt Orchestra. 

Merritt and his wife Joanne opened Merritt Jewelers in Pequot Lakes in 1984.  He passed the family business on to his son Don Jr and his wife Barb.

Merritt Sr. was born in St. Louis and will be interred there.