James "J.R." Ray Merrell, 72, of Madisonville, KY, passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Baptist Health Deaconess in Madisonville.

He was born on August 13, 1952, in Madisonville, KY, to the late Mary Ruth Brown Russell and James "J.P." Merrell. He was formerly employed as a mechanic for Ligon Trucking. He loved his Lord and his family. He enjoyed fishing and was an avid Atlanta Braves baseball fan. James was a member of Park Avenue Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Eva Bell Merrell; half-brother, Johnny Merrell; stepbrother, James Travis Rickard; and stepsister, Anna Rickard.

Survivors include his wife of thirty-three years, Lori "Denae" Orange Merrell of Madisonville; daughters, Cynthia (Nathan) Ussery of Evansville, IN, Kristin (Bryan) Parker and Celeste Morales, both of Madisonville; sons, Phillip Merrell of Indianapolis, IN, and Matthew Merrell of Madisonville; sisters, Wanda Merrell, Kathy Youngblood, and Phyllis Hutchison, all of Henderson, and Barbara White of Madisonville; brother, Robert D. Rickard of Madisonville; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home with Pastor Len Young officiating and Bro. Danny Fireline assisting. Burial to follow at East Lawn Cemetery in Hanson.

Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until the funeral hour on Saturday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Matthew Merrell, Bryan Parker, Randy Duncan, Roger Coakley, Shane Vandiver, and Nathan Ussery. Honorary pallbearers are Joshua Morales, Chad Spence, and Travis Rickard.

Memorial contributions may be made in James' memory to Park Avenue Baptist Church, 132 Park Avenue, Madisonville, KY, 42431.