Elmwood Cemetery

Woodward, Woodward County, Oklahoma

© Billings Funerals Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Merrill Blasdel

July 28, 1940 Feb 25, 2024

Merrill Blasdel, a beloved resident of Pasadena, California, and former resident of Woodward, Oklahoma, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at the age of 83. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Billings Funeral Home, with Pastor Eric Cox officiating.

Born on July 28, 1940, in Shattuck, Oklahoma, to Jack Wesley Blasdel and Lucile Warwick (McClung) Blasdel, Merrill spent his early years on a ranch near Persimmon Creek in Mutual, where he developed a love for farm life and enjoyed riding his pony and helping with chores. When he was in second grade, his family relocated to Woodward.

Merrill's formative years were shaped by his involvement in 4-H Club and FFA activities during his time at Horace Mann Elementary School, Woodward Junior High School, and Woodward High School, from which he graduated in 1958. He excelled in showcasing cattle, participating in judging teams, giving demonstrations, and performing in Share-the-Fun contests.

With his parents owning the Blasdel Purina Feed Store, Merrill and his sister Regena gained firsthand experience in the family business, including operating a caged egg farm. Although not always enthusiastic about the tasks, they learned valuable lessons in hard work and responsibility. Some of Merrill's standout achievements were winning first place at the Woodward County Contest and the State 4-H Round-Up in Stillwater with a demonstration on how chicken feed affects egg yolk color. He also won Grand Champion Steer at the Woodward County Fair and Reserve Champion Steer at the Tulsa State Fair that year.

After high school, Merrill attended Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, where he studied Agricultural Economics. He was an active member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity along with his cousin, Ed Glasgow. Though he still came home every summer to help his father on the farm. During the summer of 1961, he enjoyed a memorable experience working at Yellowstone National Park in Mammoth.

Following his graduation from Purdue, Merrill and his cousin Ed Glasgow ventured to California to pursue their dreams. Although he initially worked for Exxon, and then Dresser Industries, Merrill soon discovered his true passion in real estate, embarking on a successful 50-year career as a Broker with Dilbeck Real Estate Agency in the Pasadena, Burbank, and Glendale areas.

In keeping with his entrepreneurial spirit and love for trying new endeavors, Merrill embraced the role of the "Pumpkin Man" each fall. He delivered pumpkins and different pumpkin recipes to friends and clients by the truckload. Everyone looked forward to this tradition so much that if he missed someone, they would call and ask where their pumpkin was.

Merrill's achievements were numerous, including being honored several times by Dilbeck Realtors. In 1984, he was selected by the Burbank YMCA to be the Olympic Torch runner in the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. His torch and memorabilia will be donated to the Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum in Woodward.

He was a frequent visitor to Santa Fe, New Mexico where he spent many Thanksgivings with family and friends. He loved the Santa Fe Indian Market and enjoyed skiing in Colorado and California with loved ones. He often visited Catalina Island off the coast of California.

Merrill also cherished his Oklahoma heritage, tracing his roots to his great-grandfather, Samuel Houston James, who staked a claim near May, Oklahoma, in the Land Run of 1893. He loved to visit with cousins in Northwest Oklahoma to see their cattle, land, and wheat. Every December, he came home to Woodward for the Family Christmases. Along with his sister, Regena they have kept the tradition alive for over 100 years, 2023 ended with the 109th Blasdel and 116th McClung Family Christmas Dinners.

Merrill is survived by his sister, Regena and her husband Mickey Morris, niece Rayleen Elliott-Gill, great-nephew Brennen Gill, great-niece Courtney and her husband Kenneth Havins, great-great-niece and nephew Delaney Elliott and Cooper Havins. He is also survived by his Blasdel cousins: Donna Hackney, Brenda and her husband Bob Rea; and Mark and wife Anne Blasdel. McClung cousins: Ed Glasgow and wife Lynne; Henry and wife Carol Vloedman; Margaret Benbrook; Marilynn and husband Carl Thoma; Mac Benbrook; Paula and husband Dave Hughes; Robert McClung, and many other Blasdel and McClung cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Lucile (McClung) Blasdel, grandparents Harry and May Blasdel, Henry and Phoebe McClung, and several cousins: Betty Joanne (McClung) Treece Smith; Melvin Glasgow; Brett and wife Suzy Blasdel; and Garey Hackney.

Through his warmth, kindness, and zest for life, Merrill Blasdel touched countless lives and left an indelible mark on all who knew him. His memory will be cherished by his family, friends, and the communities he called home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Merrill Blasdel, to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Dr. Lentz Research.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 USC Advancement Gift Services, 1150 South Olive Street, 25th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015 or the Billings Funeral Home will accept contributions on behalf of the family.

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