Merrill Gene Cahoon

Merrill Gene Cahoon, 95, of San Angelo, formerly of Ballinger Texas, passed away on Thursday, September 23, 2021.

He was born on April 4, 1926, to George Lemuel Duncan and Treva Ester Cahoon in Carthage, MO.  He served honorably in the United States Army.  He married Margaret Ann Baldrige and together they had four sons before her passing in 1984.  On March 2, 1985, he remarried Harriette Bienvenue at First Christian Church in Ballinger, and together they shared 33 years before her passing in August of 2018.  Merrill was a jack of all trades, from truck driving to working on trucks there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do.  Before opening his own mechanic shop, Cahoon and Sons, he worked as a truck driver for Mueller Supply.  As a mechanic, he could fix anything from small engines to dump trucks and tractors.  He loved campers and fifth wheels and enjoyed traveling to south Texas for camping.  Merrill also enjoyed playing golf.  Merrill and Harriette were camp hosts for many years at Missouri state park as well as their two wonderful dogs Buddy and Cindy. They truly enjoyed their time spent there. Merrill and Harriette loved to dance and attended many dance halls.

Merrill is preceded in death by his parents George Duncan and Treva Cahoon, his first wife Margaret Cahoon, his son Randy Cahoon, his second wife Harriette Cahoon, and his brothers Wayne Aldridge, Mitch Aldridge, Leonard Aldridge, and Alonsa Aldridge Jr.

He is survived by his sons Gary Cahoon and wife Terri of Ballinger, John Cahoon and wife Margaret of Washington, and Rodney Cahoon also of Washington.  Merrill is also survived by his stepdaughters Jan Sibert and husband Les of Kansas, and Terri Anthony and husband Bob of Alaska.  He will be greatly missed by his brothers Oran, Bill, and Carl Aldridge, and his sister Mary Aldridge as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held for Merrill at Lange Funeral Home on Sunday, September 26, 2021, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  His funeral service will be the following day, Monday, September 27, 2021, at 10:00 am at Lange Funeral Home with Lynn Smith officiating.  Interment will follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Merrill wanted donations made to The First Christian Church of Ballinger care of Lynn Smith.

The family wishes to thank Rio Concho Manor for the tender love and care of Merrill during the last several months.