Merrill Thomas Denton

Services for Merrill Thomas Denton, 89, of Gilmer will be held 10:00 A.M, Friday, July 11, 2014, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Stake Center in Gilmer with Bishop Jack Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Kelsey Cemetery in Upshur County under the direction of Croley Funeral Home. Mr. Denton passed away Monday, July 7, 2014, in Gilmer. He was born on April 24, 1925, in the Kelsey Community, Upshur County, Texas to Thomas Grisham and Connie Lindsey Denton. Mr. Denton served in the U. S. Marines. He was a self employed welder and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mr. Denton is survived by his sons, Mickey Denton and wife, Virginia of Gilmer, David Denton and wife, Jill of Lindale, Merrill Thomas Denton II and wife Chasity of Gilmer, Caleb Denton and wife, Christina; daughters, April Christina Chidester and husband, Jacobi of Nacogdoches, Emma Boyum and husband, Jared of Hallsville; siblings, Emma Warren of Kelsey, James Wilburn "Buck" Denton of Gilmer, Carol Pate of Oklahoma and Brenda Gay Johnson of Gilmer; 14 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings, Audrey Louise Denton, Marvin Rudolph Denton, Winnie Alice Fenton and Mary Lula Ault. Pallbearers for Mr. Denton"s service will be Tommie Denton, Caleb Denton, Mickey Denton, James Cozad, Don Meador and Clinton Curtis. Honorary Pallbearers are Jared Boyum, Paul Chestnut, Tony Denton, Jocobi Chidester, Matthew Denton and David Denton Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2014, from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home.