Obituary of Eugene Richard Mertz

Eugene Richard Mertz died peacefully on October 24, 2019. Gene was born on 09/23/1941, in Omaha, Nebraska to Carol Leigh Benedict and Edward George Mertz, Jr. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward George Mertz, Jr. and his mother, Carol Leigh Benedict.

With the approval of his parents at the young age of 17 Gene joined the United States Marine Corps. On January 19, 1963 he married Barbara Lee McDevitt in Seville, Spain. Gene did one tour in Vietnam. He was a Military Police officer, and EOD, Explosive Ordinance Disposal officer, he transferred to the U.S. Army's CID,  Central Investigation Division. He was promoted to the rank of CWO2, Chief Warrant Officer II. After a twenty five year career in both branches, he retired from The US Army and accepted a position with Weyerhaeuser Corporation as the Director of Security, where he spent another 23 years before retiring. Gene was a lifetime member of the Private Security Officers Association and The American Society for Industrial Security. He was also in security detail for President Johnson, has a black belt in tae kwon do, starred in several Korean movies, enjoyed snorkeling, jogging and painting.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Lee McDevitt Mertz, his brother Tom Mertz, his sister Cherie Mertz; his son Duane and daughter in law Marilyn Mertz and his grandsons, Justin Mertz and Peyton Mertz; his daughter, Stacy Mertz Van Cleve and his son in law, William Early Van Cleve, Jr, and his grand daughters Shelby and Caroline Van Cleve; his daughter Shanon and his son in law James Gillenwater, and his granddaughter Jordan Jones; and his son David Mertz.

The men in his unit called him Gino, but he'll always be known as Pappy to us.

Funeral services will be held @ Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX.