James Joseph Merkle

Our Brother, James Joseph Merkle, went to heaven in the early morning hours of April 7, 2023. He was born in Colusa, Calif., on July 16,1950. He was the oldest child of a family of eight children. He grew up in Maxwell Calif., Greenfield, Calif., and King City Calif. Jimmy graduated high school from King City High School in 1968.

He loved sports. He played defensive back on the undefeated Mustang Football team at King City High School. They won the championship his senior year. He always claimed that they were the best team to ever play for King City High. He made the All League on the Varsity baseball team playing catcher. He was voted "most shyest" in his Senior year book. He went to Hartnell College, in Salinas Calif., and Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo, Calif., where he majored in accounting.

He worked many years in casinos in Reno and Las Vegas, Nev., Yakima, Wash., Florida, and New Orleans. He was very adventurous, even working in a fish factory in Alaska one season. Sports was his passion. He was a huge 49ers fan. He loved to play golf and tennis. He dominated the tennis latter in King City many times in the 70's, and was no.1 on the tennis team for 10 years in a row. When he played the game, he played to win. He also played softball in King City with the infamous "Nina's Cantina" softball team. They won the championship three years in a row.

He retired and lived in Paso Robles, Calif., for many years; and worked part time at J-Lhor Winery and part time at the A.M & P.M Mini Market. In the final year and two months of his life, he moved to his youngest sisters horse ranch in Aledo, Texas, where he lived and worked part time as the night manager on the horse ranch which he enjoyed. Jimmy loved to grow vegetable gardens, play chess, cards, and backgammon, and go see lots of movies, and spend lots of time with his family. He loved his family and friends a lot.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Merkle (July 9,1997); his sister, Susan Merkle Lopez (Oct. 25,1997); his mother, Wanda Tognetti (Feb. 2, 2003); stepfather, Elmer Tognetti (March 30, 2014); his father, Joe Merkle (May 27, 2019); his stepmother, Gracie Merkle (October 13, 2020).

He is survived by his sister, Karen (Dale) Borzini; brother, Bob Merkle; sister, Kathryn "Tina" (Rick) Machak; brother, Jose (Carmen) Merkle; sister, Sandra (Philippe) Nicolay, and many nieces and nephews: Denise, Doug, Taryn Borzini, Andreaa, (Mark), Collin, Quinn Lopez-Villanueva, Lindsey Merkle, Leslie Merkle, Ophelia and Victor Aracely, Amanda and Alberto, Elsie and Martin, Guadalupe and Caesar Delia, Joane Merkle, and Diana Merkle; Godchild, Elizabeth Nicolay; and niece, Alexandra Nicolay. And his cat Jack…Meow!

James Joseph Merkle was a very sweet, kind, humble, loving, Son, brother, and Uncle. You will be very missed. May you rest in peace dear brother. By Gods grace we will see you again. RIP. We Love You!

Published in King City Rustler · April 18, 2023