Obituary of Michel Todd Merrill

Mitch Merrill, a loving father, husband, brother and friend, passed away suddenly on July 8, 2014 at his vacation home on the McKenzie River. He was born to Osmond Jed Merrill and Maria Monserrat Merrill on December 29, 1955 in Eugene, OR.Mitch grew up in Eugene and graduated from South Eugene High School in 1974 where he was an avid member of the drama club as he loved acting on stage. After graduation, Mitch moved to Bend, OR with his brother O. Jay doing odd jobs while enjoying skiing and fishing with their friends. Upon moving back to Eugene in 1977, Mitch joined his cousin Max at ShurWay Construction where he gained all of his construction knowledge including learning to operate many different types of machinery. In 1979 he opened Oregon Art Supply, his first entrepreneurial endeavor. Then in 1982, he moved to Sausalito, California and worked for Logitech, expanding his interests in computer technology while honing his lifelong salesmanship skills.While in California he met his wife, Cindy Bahr-Merrill. After the birth of their daughter, Deena, they moved back to Bend in 1996. In 2002 Mitch became a founding partner at DBG Loyalty, a database technology company where he soon became well known within the Affiliate Marketing community. In 2013, he sold his ownership in DBG Loyalty to take a well-deserved break dedicating his time to family and friends. During his semi-retirement this last year Mitch and Cindy were able to spend their time together travelling, camping and enjoying their getaway home on the McKenzie River.Mitch was a devoted father to Deena. Over the years he was a constant influence in her life supporting her many activities such as coaching her soccer team, helping with Girl Scouts and attending her many dance and singing recitals. He taught her many life skills such as how to pitch a tent, build a campfire, drive a car and do her taxes as well as instilling the fisherman’s ethics of ‘catch-and-release’.All who knew Mitch know he was seldom idle, always actively working on something, be it cars, boats, houses or electronics. He was a passionate fisherman taking every possible opportunity to do so, and recently he was getting back into golf. His ideas were brilliant and he always knew the right thing to say. He loved meeting new people and left a permanent imprint on all, even if met just one time. He was friends with all who knew him and loved to be a part of the party.Mitch is survived by his wife, Cindy, and his daughter, Deena of Bend, OR; his two sisters, Victoria “Vicki” Channer of Siletz, OR and Debra Jones of South Beach OR; his brother, O. Jay Merrill of Bend, OR; and numerous nieces.A “Celebration of Mitch’s Life” will be held in Bend in the near future, all friends are welcome.Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary at musgroves.com