Jack Merciez

Our loving Father, Husband, Papa and friend, Jackie Joe (Jack) Merciez was born to Felix and Bertha (McCreary) Merciez on the family farm near Sparks, OK on March 22, 1936. Jack learned the value of hard work there and at the age of 5 earned his first $5.00 from a traveling salesman that he pulled out of a ditch with his Dad's tractor.
His father worked on a seismograph crew for Standard Oil and the family moved almost every six months through Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska until settling in Ponca City in 1950. When Jack was 14 he started working at a gas station so he could buy his own car. After graduation from Ponca City Po-Hi in 1954, he worked for various businesses as he refined his machinist skills. The U. S. Army drafted him in 1958, and he spent time in Germany where he lived close to Elvis Presley. Upon his return, he began a 24 year career with Continental Can until the plant closed. He then went to work for Smith Tool until his retirement in 1998. Jack was a devoted family man. Son, Randall Jack was born in 1963 to Jack and Margie. Danny Joe was born in 1969 to Jack and Peggy. He also cared about his step-children; Kenny, Debbie and Terry Altman and their families. He married Mary Anne Day in 1999. They enjoyed dinner and dancing on Friday nights with friends. They enjoyed going on long road trips through the western states, Alaskan and Caribbean Cruises, but more so spending time with their family enjoying their grandchildren's activities and sports. In spring and summer Jack could be found on local river banks and creeks trying to catch the largest flatheads. Happy hours were spent with his buddies around the pool table several times a week. Jack enjoyed barbequing steaks several times a week for family and friends. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church, the American Legion, the Moose Lodge and the International Machinist Union.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Anne; his son Randy and wife DeAnn of Tahlequah and their children Bridgett, Stefan and Leah; his son, Danny and his wife Juli of Bartlesville and their children Zach, Jocelin, Mia and Barrett. He is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Sneed and family and a brother-in-law Charles Dreyer and his wife Cindy and 2 great-grandchildren, Elias and Chloe Merciez. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Peggy.
Following a long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia, Jack went peacefully to Heaven on March 20, 2017; which would have been two days before his 81st birthday on March 22,
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 24, 2017 at Pioneer Bible Church with burial to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Family Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, March 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Grace Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at" The Perk", 415 N. 14th St., Ponca City, OK 74604 following the services to share memories of Jack. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cottage, 822 S. Johnston, Bartlesville, OK 74003; a pro-life ministry for women; the Peachtree Landing and the Marland Children's Home or to the charity of the donor's choice. He will be greatly missed but he leaves all of us a legacy of the values of honesty, hard work, determination, faith and a deep love of family and friends. Online condolences can be made to www.gracememorialchapel.net

Visitation

Grace Memorial Chapel
2016 N. 14th
Ponca City, OK  74601
Thursday, March 23, 2017
1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

Pioneer Bible Church
301 N. 3rd St.
Ponca City, OK
Friday, March 24, 2017
2 p.m.

Cemetery

Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery
1901 E. Hubbard Road
Ponca City, OK  74601