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Mercer, Charles D.

May 21, 1922 –
 August 24, 2016

Obituary

A life that leaves memories that will never be forgotten was the life of Charles Mercer. Few words can describe him but the ones that come to mind are Husband, Father, Grandfather, Service, Capable, Brave, Caring, and Fun-Loving. He had many names Dad, Chuck, Charlie, Rock and Sarge. No matter what name he was called, all knew him to be a man of honor. Charles Mercer’s life was dedicated to service. First in the Army Air Corps serving in WWll where he was a ball-turret gunner on a B-17. During his last mission on a bombing raid over Germany he and his crew were shot down and were put into prison as prisoners of war for 19 months. Many times his life was in jeopardy but time and time again he beat the odds. You would think once a man had gone through this experience he would have said enough, not Charles. Later he again was in a bomber now over Korea in the Korean War with the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command. After 26 years of service to our country he retired from the Air Force with an honorable discharge and many medals to commemorate his service. Charles’ love of service went even further in his personal life. He sang in his church choir, he belonged to the Masons and the Shriner organizations. At the Shriners he would aid sick children by driving them from Melbourne, Florida to Tampa Hospital for treatment. Definitely a man of service. Many knew Charles because of his love of golf. He learned the game when he was a kid growing up in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania by caddying for golfers. Charles won many tournaments and even later in life the Senior Master Championship for his age group held in North Carolina. Very few golfers ever get a Hole in one. Charles had 3 of them! Charles did like to gamble and it showed in his love for playing cards, especially gin. His life was full of entertainment from bowling, crossword puzzles, shooting pool, hunting, fishing or just watching sporting events on television. He was a man of many talents and interests. Charles Mercer believed in and demonstrated that learning is important. He had learned to be a cabinet maker, welder, built personal homes and even learned to shoe horses. He was a man never afraid to learn and to try. Just by his actions he demonstrated a strong and lasting character. Charles was a decision maker and that was especially demonstrated in 1945 when he met this wonderful girl, Jean McCallister. For Charles, it was love at first sight; however, it would take a little more time to win her heart, Jean and Charles married ln 1946. It would be a love and marriage that would last forever. The two of them loved to dance, go on driving trips, play cards, and go to social functions. They were definitely meant for one another. Their love produced three wonderful children, Roxanne, Cheryl, and Jackie. Yes, all three were girls but you would never know it by the way Charles would tease and wrestle with them. The Mercer household was filled with abundant joy and love. Charles is survived by his wife Jean Alice Mercer; his sisters Norma Merriman and Lois Becker; Survived also by two daughters Roxanne DeBerry and her husband, Larry, and Jackie Burke and her husband, Norm. He had 5 grandchildren: Laurence DeBerry and his wife, Gina, Jeanette Jones and her husband, Ragen, Amber Grider and her husband, Craig, Traci Turner, Jonathon Deckard and his wife, Gloria and Jason Deckard. He had 9 great grandchildren: Alesha Bailey and husband, Drew, Shelbie and Ryan MacDonald, Caleb Jones, Micah Jones, Matthan Jones, Devon Grider, Riley Grider, Mya Turner and Abbie Turner. He also had 2 Great-Great Granddaughters, Lola Jean Bailey and Harper Chae MacDonald; Numerous nieces, nephews and friends he loved dearly. Charles was preceded in death by his parents James B. and Edith Mercer, his 2 brothers Robert Mercer and James Mercer, one sister Mary Jane Pfeiffer and his daughter Cheryl Jean Deckard. The Family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to his dear friend and caregiver Natalie Ho. VISITATION: Monday August 29, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. – Aria Memorial Chapel at 19310 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75252. FUNERAL SERVICE:  Tuesday August 30, at 11:00 A.M. ARIA Memorial Chapel 19310 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75252. Charles Mercer’s final resting place will be at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, Texas following a committal service with Full Air Force Honors. Please consider leaving a donation in Charles’ name to the Alzheimer’s Association. The departure of Charles Mercer is not about the hole he has left behind but the holes that he filled during his life that will continue to flourish for years to come. His love, his courage, his commitment, and his joy is a testament to a man that will never die but will live in our hearts and minds forever… We will all meet up again at the 19th hole! Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700 MERCER MILITARY

    Ruth and Lee Huenniger
    27 Aug 2016
    8:40pm

    To all the Family, we send our thoughts, prayers, and love. We loved seeing him the last time in Texas. He was a great guy and and we have fond memories of him. He will be missed. He will be remembered when we honor our World War II veterans on VJ day next week.

    Luana Stowe & Bill Brown
    29 Aug 2016
    6:22pm

    We are so sorry to hear of your loss of such a wonderful father, husband, Grandpa, Rock, Sarge. He sure had an amazing life full of adventures and suffering for the sake of our freedom. I know there are no words to comfort you but know that we are here and love you and the rest of your family. I hope one day I get to know him better at the 19th hole. God Bless you in your time of struggle.

    Barb and Arnie Tesch
    29 Aug 2016
    6:50pm

    Arnie and I extend our deepest sympathy in the loss of Chuck. He will be missed by all of us and his Veteran friends in the 305th Bombardment (H) Memorial Association, and all of his fellow Veteran’s will miss Chuck.

    Barbara J. Tesch
    President, 305th BGMA

    Suzanne Jones-Davis
    29 Aug 2016
    8:16pm

    So sorry for your loss! He was a very nice man and i enjoyed talking to him about history and events. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Natalie Ho
    1 Sep 2016
    11:31am

    I loved you so much Charlie. You will be missed a great deal.

    Susan Corley Mewborn
    10 Apr 2018
    6:50pm

    I think my dad, John Corley, was in POW camp Luft IV with Rock. I remember a visit or two when he was traveling through SC. Hoping I have the right Sgt Rock Mercer. Deep condolences to the family.

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Testimonials

R. Driver
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"Excellent customer service, they made you feel like you were their only customer. Very helpful and explained what we should expect during the process. They basically took care of our needs during this time. They contacted DFW National Cemetery for us which made it a smooth experience. Definitely will use them again."
K. Barker
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"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
R. Woll
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"If I could give 6 stars I would. Aria made a difficult easier to deal with by basically taking care of everything in an efficient but very empathetic manner. I can speak highly enough of Dusty Martin, who helped us with all of the planning and logistics. He was incredibly understanding and helpful."
Angel M.
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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
McGee Family
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"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
Elledge Family
Elledge Family
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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Important Information

  1. If death has occurred and or is imminent, please call the Aria location nearest you.

    PRESTON ROAD
    214.306.6700

    NORTHWEST HIGHWAY
    214.340.8008

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    972.607.4400

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  4. Fax the forms back to us at:
    • NW Highway
      214-340-8009
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      972-526-7410
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      972-573-1008
 

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