Merrill Irving Sr.

Merrill Irving, Sr. was born on September 26, 1958, in Covington, Virginia, and was raised by Oliver Dempsey Irving and Dorothy Virginia (Burkes) Irving.

Merrill Irving Sr. passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026, just six days before his 68th birthday.

The year 1976 was a pivotal year in Merrill’s life. It was the year he graduated from high school, married Teresa K. Easley, and welcomed his only child, Merrill L. Irving, Jr.

Merrill spent much of his career as an industrial professional. He worked at the DuPont Chemical Plant as a Chemical Operator and later worked as a truck driver for Gulf.

Merrill and Teresa remained married for eight years. Later in life, Merrill found a lasting love when he married Kim (Adkins) Irving on November 25, 1995. Kim's love for Merrill proved to be unwavering. She stood faithfully by his side throughout their years together, including during his battle with diabetes, until the Lord called him home.

There is an old question made famous in song: “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” For Merrill and Kim, the answer was simple: love had everything to do with it. Their marriage was a testament to commitment, companionship, and enduring love.

Merrill also cherished the friendship of his best friend, Tracy Robinson. Their friendship was an important part of his life, filled with companionship, laughter, and shared experiences. Merrill lived his life much like the words made famous by Kenny Rogers in The Gambler: “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.”

One of Merrill’s greatest sources of pride was his son, Dr. Merrill L. Irving, Jr. He watched with tremendous pride as his son earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from West Virginia University and a doctorate from the University of Southern California. Merrill Jr. went on to spend 30 years in higher education, became an international published author, and established his own higher education consulting firm.

Later in life, Merrill learned that his biological mother was Gloria Boxley and that he had six siblings. This discovery added another chapter to his life story and connected him to family history and relationships he had not known earlier in life.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar. The family will receive guests one hour prior to the funeral at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

www.kellerfuneralhome.net