Preston M. Mercer |
| Posted 2009-04-11 by Maurine |
| Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona January 17, 1996 Preston M. Mercer, of Wickenburg, died Jan. 10 in Wickenburg. He was 91. Mr. Mercer was born March 24, 1904 in Texas. He had lived in Arizona for 86 years, coming here from Texas. Mr. Mercer was a cowboy. He was an avid horseback rider and loved telling western and historical stories, and also wrote poetry. His most memorable years were spent on a ranch doing cowboy work. He loved to read before going blind and classical music. Mr. Mercer owned his own plane, which he flew, and also owned crop dusting planes that others flew. Although he had no formal education, Mr. Mercer was a well-respected entomologist. The majority of his knowledge came through his own reading. He served as the ecologist on the last scientific trip down the Colorado River before the Glen Canyon Dam was built. The expedition was headed by the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. Mr. Mercer also worked for a pest control business, Grower's Farm Supply, in Roll. For a number of years he was the top salesman in the country for Grower's Farm Supply. Mr. Mercer was known for having a tremendous memory. He could hear a song one time and sing it back. When he was in a gifted program at Flagstaff University, the instructor had every student memorize and recite a poem. Mr. Mercer memorized and recited an entire book. For a number of years, he wrote a column for the Yuma Daily Sun. Mr. Mercer was a longtime member of the Yuma Rotary Club, and frequently spoke at fellow Rotary Clubs. He also worked with the Camp Fire Girls of America for years and built their membership tremendously. He is survived by his daughters Judith Connelly of Bastrop, Texas and Maryvan Carlson of Halcyon, Calif.; grandchildren Trinka Withers of Austin, Texas, Carol Bandy of Garfield, Texas, Jim Connelly of Austin, Texas; Elaine Kubala of Salt Lake City, Utah; Mark Dawson of Laguna Beach, Calif., Eric Dawson of Monterey, Calif., Shara Steele of Wildomar, Calif., and Martin Dawson of Dana Point, Calif.; and nine great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Thursday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Flying E Guest and Cattle Ranch, 2801 W. Wickenburg Way. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Mercer's name to Rotary Club International, P.O. Box 1018, Wickenburg, Ariz. 85358. Frey Funeral Home and Cremation Service handled all arrangements. |
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