James Merkle

Waynesville, James "Jim" Merkle, age 80, of Walker Road, died Wednesday, September, 24, 2008 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. A native of Toccoa, Georgia, he was the son of the late James Croke Merkle and Emily Bruce Merkle, Sr. Jim graduated from Marist High School in Atlanta, Class of 1946 where he was captain of the football team. He was a graduate of Harvard University where he received a B.S Degree. Jim also attended Emory Law School and was in the US Navy for three years on a minesweeper during the Korean Conflict. He then went to work for the First National Bank in Atlanta, Georgia. After thirteen years, he became President of First National Bank of Anniston, AL.; Union Planters Bank in Memphis, TN; Bank of N.C. in Raleigh, N.C.; and CEO of Palmer Bank in Sarasota, FL; moved back to Atlanta in 1976 to work for First National Bank when it then merged with Wachovia Bank where he served as Senior Vice President retiring in 1993. He loved golf and tennis and especially enjoyed the community of Walker In The Hills and The Winchester Creek Club. He was a member of St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Maggie Valley. Jim also loved watching football. He developed a love for poetry at Harvard. Jim will always be remembered for his phenomenal sense of humor and a very dry wit. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, June Merkle; four children, Bruce Merkle, and his wife, Tanya, of Sarasota, FL, Scott Merkle, and his wife, Susan, of Atlanta, GA; Emily Turner, and her husband, Vince, of Atlanta, GA, Robert Merkle, and his wife, Jasmine, of Roswell, GA; one brother, Robert Bruce Merkle, and his wife, Barbara, of Waynesville; nine grandchildren, Bruce Merkle, Jr., Gabrielle and Connor Merkle; Shaun, Ryan, Heather and Dustin Merkle and Phoebe and Lucy Turner; his nieces and nephews; Carolyn, Claremarie, David, Paul and John. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008 at St. Margaret's Catholic Church with Father John Denny officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721 or to one's favorite charity.

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