As a child his family lived in Denver CO, Nebraska and Chicago, IL, where he had many great adventures. Merrill loved to play sports and was an extraordinary athlete. In high school he played basketball, baseball, football and was a competitive diver. He was recruited to play baseball semiprofessionally, but his love for Heavenly Father was greater than his desire to play.

He served a Spanish speaking mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Southern Texas and Mexico. This is where he gained his love and knowledge for speaking Spanish and did so beautifully until the end.

Merrill returned to his love of sports in college where he played football at BYU, for Lavell Edwards. He went on to earn his Master's degree at BYU and his PhD at University of Southern California in Kinesiology.

Merrill applied his knowledge, discipline, and athletic talents as a beloved Professor at Cal State University Northridge. He loved teaching educators to be better educators and was highly ranked by students and colleagues alike.

Merrill was also an avid golfer and singer and sang in several barbershop quartets and

Church choirs. As a lifelong member of The Church of Latter-day Saints, he played on winning teams in the All Church Games, served many church callings including; two service missions in St George.

Merrill's greatest achievement though was his family, whom he loved with all his heart. He was a great father, who was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He was a humble man and those who were lucky enough to know him got to see his amazing sense of humor. He will be missed very much.

Merrill is survived by wife, Betty, children: David (Terri) Hardy, Lois (Garett) Babcock, Barbara (Stan) Duitsman, Jeff (Melodie) Hardy; his stepchildren: Ginger (Steve) Hitz,  Ally "Dodi" (Jake) Dawson, Memri (Tom) Wolf, Ben Holder Jr; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Darwin Hardy, and sister, Joyce Greenhalgh.  He is preceded in death by wife, Sydney Hardy, daughter, Joanne Gunderson, sister, Jean Yancey, and his parents.