MERRIAM, Frank Merriam Richland

Author Mark Helprin once wrote, "Perhaps passing through the gates of death is like passing quietly through the gate in a pasture fence. On the other side, you keep walking, without the need to look back. No shock, no drama, just the lifting of a plank or two in a simple wooden gate in a clearing. Neither pain, nor floods of light, nor great voices, but just the silent crossing of a meadow." While some people choose to spend their lives philosophizing about death, Frank Merriam chose to live. In fact, one life wasn't enough for Mr. Merriam. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Mr. Merriam defied medical odds and capped the first 49 years of his life with an enriching albeit brief sequel. Although most sequels don't compare to the original, the second part of Mr. Merriam's life was inspiring, dynamic, and philanthropic. As he fearlessly battled the cancer that would soon end his life, Mr. Merriam volunteered at the Kairos Dwelling, home for the terminally ill, giving back to those who granted him the treasured gift of time: time with his wife, time with his children, time with anybody who was lucky enough to be a part of his life. Mr. Merriam died on Sunday, February 27, 2005. He was 50 years old. Former coworkers described Mr. Merriam as a virtuoso leader in western Michigan's advertising industry who left a significant legacy. He utilized his remarkable creative talents at a number of agencies, including The Martin Agency in Richmond, Va.; Barker Campbell Farley in Norfolk; Lawler Ballard in Kalamazoo; and Fahlgren Swink in Columbus, Ohio. He worked as a copywriter and a creative director, and eventually started his own communications business. During Mr. Merriam's tenure as the creative director at Lawler Ballard, the agency not only dominated the prestigious local Addy Award shows, but also won major advertising awards on the national level. Some consider the agency's work for financial and healthcare clients to rank among the country's best advertisements of that time. Just as the dying Mozart wrote his final masterpiece, "Requiem, K.626," on his deathbed, Mr. Merriam used his creative and strategic flair to write one last opus: a brochure for Kairos Dwelling that helped in its fundraising efforts. People who knew Mr. Merriam said they would always remember him as being gentle, curious, creative, caring, intelligent, loving, dedicated, enjoyable, humorous, witty, helpful, and magnanimous. An avid reader, Mr. Merriam possessed a truly encyclopedic mind, which he exploited to dominate family and friends while playing games like "Trivial Pursuit" and "Scene It." He was the Michael Jordan of board games, and everybody always wanted to be on his team in order to reap the benefits of his mind's vast arsenal of knowledge. Mr. Merriam also enjoyed cooking, sports, spending time with his family, and criticizing the acting abilities of Kevin Costner. Luckily, he died before Costner's latest offering, "The Upside of Anger," was released. Mr. Merriam is survived by his wife, Jackie Merriam; daughters, Lacey Merriam & Lauren Jarvis; son, Ryan Jarvis; mother, Esther Merriam; and sisters, Betty Ann Laszyca & Martressa Downing. His father George Merriam preceded him in death. Creative people revel in experiencing new and fascinating things. Mr. Merriam embodied this concept by learning everything he could about the world through books, movies, newspapers, personal observations, and conversations. One cannot help but smile when imagining Mr. Merriam passionately exploring and studying his latest area of fascination, the mysteries of the Great Beyond. At the request of the family friends may call after 5:00 p.m., today at the

FARLEY-ESTES & DOWDLE RICHLAND CHAPEL 9170 East D. Avenue (M-89)

where the family will receive friends 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home with The Rev. Beth A. McLaren of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations made to Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49048 would be appreciated.