MORELAND

 Merle Lee Moreland’s earthly journey ended suddenly on September 10, 2016, at East Texas Medical Center. He is now on to his heavenly mansion that has been prepared for him.

Merle’s pursuit of life-long learning started on December 10, 1935, when he was born to Carl and Helen Moreland of Deerfield, Kansas.

After graduating from Deerfield High School, Merle joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA. During his stay at Fort Belvoir he met and married the love of his life, Brenda Kay Owens Moreland. Their married union lasted for 56 years. He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ.

After serving his country, Merle worked in Kansas and Oklahoma for the Kansas-Nebraska Gas Co. He graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a master’s degree in theology and history.

Merle taught many theological and history courses through his tenure at Kilgore Junior College. When not working he enjoyed traveling, spending time with his family, reading, and going out to dinner with close friends and enjoying nature. He always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Helen Moreland; beloved in-laws, Jeff and Pebble Cotner Owens of Huntington, Ark.; his cherished daughter, Sondra M. Ezzell of Perryton; sisters, Flora Armstrong and Louis Tapp; brother and sister-in-law, Neil and Eleanor Moreland; brother, Harley Moreland; a very special friend and brother-in-law, Don M. Houff, Little Rock, Ark.; and one niece and three nephews.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Brenda of Tyler, daughters, Tamara and Calvin Jones of Ore City, Sheila and Tom Krieg of Tyler, Teresa and Robbie Thorne of Chandler; and son, Randall and Lisa Moreland of Marietta; beloved grandchildren, Colton, Tanner and Laken Ezzell, Courtney and Casey Albritton, Lindsey Schenck, Caitlin and Carson Moreland, Cody and Shelby Jones, Krystal, Cody and Roper Thorne; two greatgrandchildren, Colbie Albritton and Kynslee Jones. He is also survived by brother, John and Fern Moreland; sisters, Melda and Allen Dimick and Iris and Bob Burnett; and beloved Owens family-in-laws, Margie Houff, JD and Charlene Owens, Rhonda and Dewey Browning, Carol and Gary Schaper, Cindy and Perry Johnson; and several nieces and nephews.

According to Merle’s wishes his body has been donated to Life Legacy Foundation