Born in Time: November 10, 1948 Depart in Glory: January 27, 2022 An Exceptional
Husband, Father, Uncle Leader, Mentor Friend and Faithful Servant of The Community
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022 Visitation: 9:00 AM – 10:45 AM Celebration of Life: 11:00 AM
Saint Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church 336 Oakwood Avenue, Orange, New Jersey 07050 Officiant: Reverend Melvin E. Wilson, Pastor/Teacher
Order of Service Reverend Melvin E. Wilson, Officiating Processional.................................................................................Clergy and Family Hymn of Comfort................................................. “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” Prayer of Comfort................................................................................................... Scripture Readings................................................................................................... Old Testament.............................................................................. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 New Testament................................................................... I Thessalonians 4:13-14 Musical Selection.................................... “May The Work I’ve Done Speak For Me” Acknowledgments & Resolutions............................................................................ A Wife’s Tribute....................................................... Read by Gladys Marie Desselle Art’s Legacy.........................................................................................Read Silently Musical Selection..................................................................................................... Eulogy.......................................................................... Reverend Melvin E. Wilson Recessional..................................................................................Clergy and Family
In Appreciation
The family of Arthur Nelson Merritt, Jr. would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all acts of kindness and support shown to them during their time of bereavement.
ART’S LIFE & LEGACY Arthur Nelson Merritt, Jr. affectionately called “ART” was the eldest of four children born to Arthur Nelson Merritt Sr. and Lela Williams Merritt on November 10, 1948, in Newark, New Jersey. Art was educated and graduated from Thirteenth Avenue Elementary School and Newark Vocational Technical High School. Upon graduation, Art matriculated at The College of Artesia in Artesia, New Mexico. He transferred to the University of Wisconsin in Racine, Wisconsin where he graduated and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and History in 1971. Art returned to Newark after graduation. He was employed by Prudential Insurance Company and Newark Public Schools prior to being hired by the City of Newark in September of 1973. He served in a variety of positions before becoming a civil servant in the title of Administrative Personnel Training Officer and subsequent Manager. His responsibilities and duties included: photographing and supplying new employees with City of Newark identification cards; providing all training materials and equipment for new employees throughout the various city agencies; administering needs assessments; addressing skills deficies; orientation of new hires; and coordinating external training. In addition to his assigned duties Art was a loyal and committed supporter of Mayor Kenneth Gibson and the Gibson Administration. He served and was a member of the Mayor’s Security Team; the Newark Special Police; the Snow Emergency Crew; the Taxi Commission Patrol; one of the city photographers, who photographed various city events sponsored by the Gibson administration; and he was on the city’s Emergency Management Team (trained and certified) under Homeland Security. During Art’s tenure at the City of Newark he met, dated, and married Kathleen Barbara Turpin, who was also a city employee. They married July 11, 1981 and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on July 11, 2021. From their union, they were blessed with Halima Amira Horton, Ashton Turpin Merritt, and Kendall Nelson Merritt.
Under Mayor Sharpe James’ Administration, Art, a proud son of Newark continued to serve his beloved city and the citizens with vigor and enthusiasm as: Administrative Personnel Training Officer and Manager; one of the city photographers capturing all the major city events; and a member of the Emergency Management Team. Art served one year under Mayor Cory Booker until his retirement on July 31, 2007. In recognition of his service to the City of Newark, Art, the proud son of Newark received Recognition and Resolutions for his outstanding, dedicated professional service spanning over 34 years. Art was well known and well respected by everyone.
LEGACY OF FAITH Art was baptized with his 3 siblings at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark. He attended church regularly with his family. Though Art in his later years, did not attend church, he never forsook God nor the spiritual lessons he learned. Art believed in God, and in recognition of God’s Grace & Mercy towards him, Art endeavored every day to live a life of love and service to his family, his friends and to his community. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive an inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV)
LEGACY OF LOVE Art lived, loved, and labored for his family. He made himself available to his: wife; children; parents; siblings; nieces; nephews; cousins and neighbors. He supported, encouraged, and inspired all that knew him. As a husband Art honored his marriage by loving, respecting, and treating Kathleen like a queen. He knew she loved roses and made sure she had them every other month. He was a father that was active in his children’s life. He introduced and exposed his children to a variety of experiences and opportunities which included Ashton and Kendall actively participating in the Saint Matthew AME Boy Scout Ministry and attending the Boy Scout Jamboree; Green’s School of Martial Arts; Newark Museum Saturday Programs; Jersey Ski Club; and Newark Swim Club. Art coordinated our family vacations and trips. We traveled extensively with our children to Canada, California, Pennsylvania, Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, Michigan, NAACP National Conventions, Disney World, and Family Reunions to name a few. Art shared his love, wisdom, knowledge, and kindness with others throughout his life.
LEGACY OF COMMUNITY Art served and loved his community in serval ways. He was an active member of the Girard and Randolph Place Block Association. He was a fully paid Silver Life Member of the Newark Branch of the NAACP. He actively served on the Newark African American Heritage Day Parade Committee as a member and Marshall with Ashton and Kendall by his side. Art was a Prince Hall Mason, and a member of both the Newark Museum of the Arts and Liberty Science Center. Furthermore, Art attended the Million Man March (October 1995).
YOUR WORK ON EARTH IS DONE Arthur Nelson Merritt Jr. affectionately called “ART” joined the ancestors on January 27, 2022. Art joins his parents, Arthur Nelson Merritt, Sr. and Lela Merritt; and sister, Dr. Janice D. Merritt. Art leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Kathleen Turpin Merritt; daughter, Halima Amira Horton of Portland, Oregon; sons, Ashton Turpin Merritt of Newark, New Jersey and Kendall Nelson Merritt of Portland, Oregon; sister Barbara M. Hudson (Raymond); brother, James F. Merritt; and a large community of family, friends, neighbors, and people everywhere. It’s not the duration of one’s life, but the donation in life. “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:14-17 (ESV)
Recollections of a Daughter
There are a lot of memories I could share about my Dad, like the fact that the smell of pancakes and sausage remind me of him because when I was little he used to make that on Sunday mornings. Whenever he would call to leave me a voicemail, he always said the same thing, “It’s me, Arthur Merritt, your father”. I always wondered “how many Arthur Merritt” he thought were leaving me voicemails. Then there was the day that we spent in the car going to every available Toys“R”Us looking for wings on the day of a costume party because I decided on that day to be an Angel. Even though we didn’t find any wings, he suggested I be a princess instead. I liked the idea, and it was a great day. I could go on and on, but these are 3 firsts, which have stayed with me as I’ve grown up. The first drive-in movie that I remember was with my Dad. He took me to see The Muppet Movie. I don’t remember much really, but I do remember Fozzie and Kermit in a Studebaker, and my Dad commenting on the “fork in the road.” The second 1st I’d like to share is my first grown-up dance. It was a “Father/Daughter Dance” at my school. At the time I was living in Florida. I was very worried that he wouldn’t be able to come. He came down and went to the dance with me. When we danced, we kept bumping into each other. After a little while that stopped. It was years before I realized, he just let me lead. This third memory is of the first time I knew he was proud of me. I hadn’t had my driver’s license very long when we took a family road trip to the NAACP convention in Minnesota. There was a part of the drive that had Daddy worried about getting lost. I was driving as we came to the area he’d been worried about. He said he’d meant to switch driving with me, but at that point it was too late. I managed to drive us through. We weren’t exactly where we needed to be, but we didn’t get lost and I didn’t freak out. Daddy had the biggest smile I think I’d ever seen him have on his face. There’s something magical when your Dad just beams at you. He kept patting me on the back and smiling. I know he said something, but what I remember is his face being so proud. These are just a few of the memories I have of my Dad. As I sat down to write this more and more came back to me. I know without a doubt that I will take my Dad with me wherever I go for the rest of my life. I have been blessed to know him and doubly so to have him as my Father.
Love, Halima
He IS SMILING DOWN He is Smiling down. He’s still with us today With spirit and love. He’s still shining through us, Looking down from above The light he shared Through sharing and caring Gave us a gift. That will find us remembering, Dawns will come and Days will pass. And silence can still make a sound But Comfort and peace lies within knowing That He is watching over us, and still smiling down. Love, Your Son, Kendall
Come With Me
The Lord saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be, So He put his arms around you and whispered, “Come with me” With tearful eyes, we watched you suffer And saw you fade away, Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands at rest, God broke our hearts to prove, He only takes the best. It’s lonesome here without you We miss you so each day, Life doesn’t seem the same, since you’ve gone away. When days are sad and lonely, And everything goes wrong, We seem to hear you whisper, “Cheer up and carry on.” Each time we see your picture, You seem to smile and say, “Don’t cry, I’m in God’s keeping, We’ll meet again someday.” You never said, “I’m leaving”, You never said, “Goodbye”, You were gone before we knew it, and only God knew why. A million times we needed you, a million times we cried, If love alone could have saved you, You never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, In death we love you still, In our hearts you hold a place, that no one could ever fill. It broke our heart to lose you, but you didn’t go alone For part of us went with you The day God took you home. - Rhonda Braswell Lovely Submitted, Leah Alexis Hudson (Niece)
For Our Brother & Brother-in-law Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away to the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that, we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effect. Without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same that it ever was. There is absolute unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, Just around the corner. All is well. - Henry Scott Holland James Merritt Barbara Merritt Hudson Raymond Hudson
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