David Houston Merchant's Obituary
In Loving Memory of David Houston MerchantBorn September 24, 1930 in Duncan Oklahoma, passed away Tuesday March 13, 2018 at 3:15 p.m. at his home in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico surrounded by loved ones. He grew up in Brownwood, Texas and at the age of 17 left Brownwood High School joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Japan and shortly after the hostilities in Korea began he was transferred to the advanced Headquarters of the 5th Air Force Command as a Staff Sargent. After his tour he was stationed stateside at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C. While stationed in Washington he met Nancy Madeline Basse, they were married in the base chapel on June 6, 1952. During his service he was awarded a Commendation Ribbon for Outstanding Service, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea Presidential Citation. At the rank of Master Sargent, he received his Honorable Discharge Oct, 29 1953. Upon leaving the Air Force the happy couple relocated to Boston, Massachusetts where he went to work in the silk screen printing industry as production manager for Albert Basse Associates. They began a family and in the mid 1960’s decided to relocate the family to Dallas, Texas to be closer to his parents in Brownwood and seek out new job opportunities in the growing Dallas market. He stayed in the printing industry and found employment as production manager for Superior Marking Systems. After a few years with some luck and a little help he went into business for himself. He opened Chroma-Tone Inc. and grew it from a small three man printing operation into a multi-million dollar business employing dozens of people. He retired to Garland, Texas and upon the passing of his wife of over sixty years decided to take his son up on his offer of moving to Mexico. After a rough start with some serious culture shock, in a land he couldn’t speak or understand the language of, he finally settled in, made himself a place he felt comfortable and in the end was happy with it. Here he became “Gringo Viejo” to the Mena family and friends. He was a good man with a big heart, always ready to help out. He touched the lives of many and will be missed by all.He was preceded in death by his parents Don and Ethel Merchant of Brownwood, Texas. His three brothers Bill, Bob, and Wallace and his three sisters Wanda, Patty and Sue. He lost his youngest son Dale Albert Merchant of New York City to AIDS in 1990 and his wife Nancy Madeline Basse of Boston, Massachusetts to Cancer in 2010.He is survived by his son David Houston Merchant Jr., daughter in law Andrea Mena Merchant and comadre Susanna Zenteno Ruiz all of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico. Granddaughters Susan Mena, Georgina Urbina, Catalina Perez, Amber Abbott, Ashley Conn and Danielle McClaskey. Grandsons Jose Anthony Mena and Joshua Mena. Great granddaughters Alexia Mena, Sofia Jade Mena, Mallorie Conn, Skyler Conn, Sawyer Conn and Jesse Cortana Mena. Great grandsons Andres Alejandro Merchant Mena, Gael Mena, Aiden Merchant, Brogan Merchant, Lawson Conn, Declan Abbott, Samuel Mustafa Ramirez Urbina, Juan Pablo Ruida and Braelyn McClaskey. He is survived by many nephews and nieces spread out all across the United States. He will be missed by the Basse Clan of Massachusetts Debbie, Lynda, Chip, Chris and Ed and their families whom he had an especially close relationship with. Last but not least he will be forever in the hearts of the Mena family: all the brothers, sisters, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces of his daughter in law Andrea who adopted him into the Familia as their Abuelo since his move to Mexico.In the tradition of Mexican funerals, a wake was held at the house throughout the night until noon on Wednesday the 14th when the funeral home came to pick his body up for cremation. It was attended by family, close friends and well-wishing neighbors wanting to pay their respects. Both Christian and Catholic prayers were said by those attending. On the 14th at around 1:00 p.m. a small ceremony was held in front of the hacienda with the Stars and Stripes and Texas flags flying, Taps were played on a saxophone and prayers were said. Pall bearers: Armondo Gomez Hernandez, Angel Mena Zenteno, Xavier Mena Zenteno and Elías Fonseca Jiménez then placed his casket in the hearse to be taken to Esperanza Mausoleums of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Followed by a funeral procession that ran from the ranch down the mountain and into the city where his remains were cremated. His son David will be returning him to Dallas in April to join his wife Nancy and other son Dale at Restland in the Garden of Inspiration. A Memorial will be held Sunday April 15, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland. There will be a Graveside service with Military Honors, directly after a short gathering of friends and family will be held in the Restland Center to share Memories, a slice of Cake (chocolate of course), and a cup of Coffee.
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