In Memory Of
Gary Michael Merchant
1954
2024
Gary Michael Merchant
June 8, 1954 — June 1, 2024
Gary's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.
Gary Michael Merchant, 69, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2024. He was born on June 8, 1954 in Wichita, Kansas to Herschel and Marie (Murphy) Merchant.
Gary and his family moved from place to place while growing up, from Wichita, Kansas, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to St. Louis, Missouri, until his family eventually settled in Olathe, KS where he graduated high school. Afterwards, he attended college and graduated from Emporia State University. He ultimately was a finance officer for Farmland Industries before he was forced to take early retirement due to his heart transplant in 1993.
Gary's first love was airplanes. At 16 years old, he accomplished his first solo flight. Unfortunately, due to his heart transplant later in life, he couldn't continue flying. So, he took the role of "Co-pilot" and enjoyed taking airplane rides with his friends. All the while, focusing on his second love of cars. Over the years he's driven a variety of cars. His favorites were his 1976 Ford Gran Torino, his 1957 Ford Fairlane, his 2001 Mustang Bullitt, his 2013 BOSS 302 Mustang, and his 1969 Ford Thunderbird.
Even though he had a life changing surgery in 1993, Gary still lived life to the fullest. He loved traveling across the country, and particularly enjoyed visiting Creede, Colorado to see his grandfather's cabin, and Orlando, Florida for Disney World.
Gary is survived by his sons, Shawn and Ryan Merchant; brother, Greg Merchant, sister-in-law, Sharon Merchant, his nephews, David and Dustin Merchant, the mother of his children, Michelle Diane Lawrence, and his grandchildren, Marlita Merchant and Nora Shade.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie Merchant and Herschel Merchant, and his son, Patrick Merchant.
The family will receive guests for a visitation from 10:00-11:00am on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home. His Funeral Service will follow at 11:00am on Saturday, also at the funeral home.
The family requests that contributions in Gary's memory be made to Donate Life America.
To leave a message of condolence for Gary's family or to share a special memory of him, please visit the guestbook below.
Gary Michael Merchant, 69, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2024. He was born on June 8, 1954 in Wichita, Kansas to Herschel and Marie (Murphy) Merchant.
Gary and his family moved from place to place while growing up, from Wichita, Kansas, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to St. Louis, Missouri, until his family eventually settled in Olathe, KS where he graduated high school. Afterwards, he attended college and graduated from Emporia State University. He ultimately was a finance officer for Farmland Industries before he was forced to take early retirement due to his heart transplant in 1993.
Gary's first love was airplanes. At 16 years old, he accomplished his first solo flight. Unfortunately, due to his heart transplant later in life, he couldn't continue flying. So, he took the role of "Co-pilot" and enjoyed taking airplane rides with his friends. All the while, focusing on his second love of cars. Over the years he's driven a variety of cars. His favorites were his 1976 Ford Gran Torino, his 1957 Ford Fairlane, his 2001 Mustang Bullitt, his 2013 BOSS 302 Mustang, and his 1969 Ford Thunderbird.
Even though he had a life changing surgery in 1993, Gary still lived life to the fullest. He loved traveling across the country, and particularly enjoyed visiting Creede, Colorado to see his grandfather's cabin, and Orlando, Florida for Disney World.
Gary is survived by his sons, Shawn and Ryan Merchant; brother, Greg Merchant, sister-in-law, Sharon Merchant, his nephews, David and Dustin Merchant, the mother of his children, Michelle Diane Lawrence, and his grandchildren, Marlita Merchant and Nora Shade.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie Merchant and Herschel Merchant, and his son, Patrick Merchant.
The family will receive guests for a visitation from 10:00-11:00am on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home. His Funeral Service will follow at 11:00am on Saturday, also at the funeral home.
The family requests that contributions in Gary's memory be made to Donate Life America.
To leave a message of condolence for Gary's family or to share a special memory of him, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Michael Merchant, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, June 8, 2024
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Olathe Chapel
Service
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Olathe Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 9
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