Our Husband, Father, and Grandpa has gone home to be with the Lord. We will cherish our memories of this warm, kind, and faith-filled man.

Mr. Julian Merrick Gilroy, Jr., age 84, a resident of 105 Leigh Drive, Washington, was born on Jan. 21, 1933, in Washington, D.C.

Merrick played tennis at McKinley Tech High School in D.C. before moving with his family to Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Michigan State University, he began a 38-year career with General Motors, retiring as Director of Purchasing for the Saginaw Division.

Merrick and Naomi Gilroy were married on Sept. 18, 1954. After their retirement, the couple moved to Washington, North Carolina, in 1992. The Gilroys faithfully attended the Plymouth Church of the Nazarene for 18 years and then the First Free Will Baptist Church in Washington for the past seven years.

Merrick loved road trips, tennis, reading, yard work and a weekly trip to the Outer Banks. He was loved greatly by his wife, children, grandchildren and many friends.

Merrick Gilroy is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Naomi, and his children, Cheri L. Williamson and her husband, Rev. Steven, of Pendleton, Indiana; Mark K. Gilroy and his wife, Amy, of Brentwood, Tennessee; Susan Cunningham and her husband, David, of Auburn, Kansas. He will be missed by his 14 grandchildren: Amber Baron; Lindsey Gilroy; Kyle Cunningham; Eric Cunningham; Merrick Gilroy; David Williamson; Ashley Wein; Kyle Williamson; Lauren Landis; Caroline Fontela; Bo Ackerson; Zachary Gilroy; Paige Cunningham; and Ryan Cunningham.

Mr. Gilroy was preceded in death by his close friend and brother, Dale Floor Gilroy. His sister, Janet Herdler, resides in Kansas City, Missouri.

The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Monday, May 15, 2017, at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Washington, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m., conducted by Pastor Todd Parrish and Rev. Steve Creech.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Gilroy family.