Charles Allen Merchant

Charles “Chuck” Allen Merchant of Dallas, GA, passed away on Sunday July 30, 2023, at the age of 85 years. He was born on March 8, 1938 in Jamestown, NY. He was a proud U.S. Army Veteran who served overseas in Korea. His mother was a grade school teacher, and he followed in her educational footsteps, becoming a career educator in the computer field with IBM.

Known as “Papa” to his Grandchildren, he took great pride in them by spending countless hours doing crafts, outdoor activities and cheering them on at their sporting and school events. An enthusiast of many things outdoors, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting, camping, and boating. Even late in life, he and his sons shared regular trips to the gun range and years of annual camping outings with the “occasional” fireside bourbon. He was an avid woodworker and carpenter. He shared this passion by teaching his sons these skills and fabricating cabinetry, building furniture, turning pens, and making many other items for family and friends. Always actively involved in his church, he led Bible studies and served as a Eucharistic Minister. He made lifelong friends playing cards with his Bridge and Pinochle groups. Chuck, with his kind soul and joyous spirit, endeared himself to people and made friends wherever he went. A loving and devoted husband to Marilyn for nearly 61 years, they cherished each others company until late in life, even sharing simple pleasures such as riding in their golf cart…the “Chuck Wagon”. He selflessly cared for Marilyn as her memory failed in her later years. In the final chapter of his life, he was able to find love once more with his caring wife, Susan. His four sons are proud to call him “Dad”. His lifelong devotion to his family serves as an example they will carry forever. They are sure he was one of the best dads around. Their memories of time spent with him under the hood of a car, in the wood shop, on the target range, aboard the “Sea Merchant” and around the camp fire will never fade.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, his parents, Chester and Edna Merchant, and his sister, Harriet Shipman.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Merchant, his brothers, Clifton and Frederick Merchant, and his sons, Timothy, Keith, Daniel, and Paul.

Chuck was grandfather to Megan and Matthew Merchant; Brennan Novak and Isabella Merchant; and Evelyn and Amelia Merchant.

A Celebration of Life for Charles “Chuck” Merchant will be held at a later date.

Our beloved Papa will be laid to rest at Georgia National Cemetery.

We would like to thank the staff at Tranquility at Kennesaw Mountain for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in his final days.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/atlanta-cremation for the Merchant family.