Derwin C. Merrill

Derwin Crockett Merrill was born Jan 25, 1934 in Richmond to Casper Whittle and Anna Crockett Merrill. Derwin served as the 29th Mayor of Richmond.

Early Life

Derwin began his educated years by attending Park Elementary until the 3rd grade when the Merrill family moved to Lewiston, Utah where he attended before moving again after the 4th grade to Logan, Utah where he eventually graduated from Logan High. While in school, Derwin was awarded the Green Key Award three different times. During this time, Derwin also participated in affairs with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After high school, Derwin began attending Utah State University and joined the Lambda Delta Sigma Fraternity.

After his first mission with the Church, Derwin married Luana Packer June 1, 1956 in the Logan, Utah Temple. Derwin continued to attend school while also raising a family, and participating in participating in Church affairs and the Utah State College ROTC Army Camp. Derwin graduated from USU with a Bachelors.

Military Service

On Sep 14, 1960, Derwin entered military service during the Vietnam War. While in service, he was a Platoon Leader, Military Engineer Member and 1st Lieutenant. He traveled to Virginia, New Jersey, Washington DC, and Iowa.

Life in the East

Co-Owner of Casper's Ice Cream

After his time in Iowa, Derwin moved back to Richmond to help peruse the family business, Casper's Ice Cream. He worked as a Managing General Partner for some time. Derwin became the CEO of Casper's Ice Cream Dec of 1990. He served as CEO for about 15 years before stepping down and letting his son Paul take over but still served in the Casper business in other responsibilities.

Mayoral Term (1990 - 1995)

Derwin C. Merrill served as the 29th Mayor of Richmond from 1990-1995, or two terms. Derwin was sworn in as Mayor of Richmond on Jan 4, 1990. 

Cache Mayor's Association

On Jan 4, 1990, Derwin was made Secretary of the Cache Mayor's Association. On Jan 1, 1991, Derwin was appointed as Vice President of the Association, and on Jan 1, 1992, was made President of the Association, serving for only a year as such.

Water Rights Debacle

City Park Purchases

• Park School Park

On the southwest corner of the park was an old, abandoned building that was once a gas station. The city was able to purchase the land, and remove the building, cleaning up the look of the park. A noticeable divot in the land can indicate where the building once stood.

• Black & White Days Park

After years of using the Baseball field and Black & White Days area, it was noticed that part of the land was still owned by the Cache County School District. The portion of the field was used for the old Red Brick School House, and after it was destroyed, the land became vacant. After about 50+ years, the land was finally purchased by the city.

• Future of the Cup River Sports Complex

Richmond City, along with Lewiston, Utah, joined together to purchase 25 acres of land to build a sports complex with the first phase being three softball fields, a baseball field, and several soccer fields. It would later be called the Cub River Sports Complex.

Land for the Richmond City Shop

The land where the Richmond City Maintenance Building now stands was owned by the Sego Food Co. when the factory adjacent to the building was still in service. Between 1990 and 1995, the city was able to purchase a single acre of land from Green River Labs, who was owning the land and old factory.

Established City Youth Council

Sometime between 1990 and 1992, Mayor Derwin Merrill began the process of setting up a Youth Council. He had City Councilman Alan K. Funk take care of all the details and set things up. 

Resignation

On Nov 21, 1995, Derwin sent a letter to the City Council and Richmond about his resignation as Mayor. On Dec 5, 1995, Derwin stepped down as Mayor of Richmond to accept a call from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve a Couples Mission in the Singapore Mission. He writes:

"Working with City Council Members Norton Thrugood, Alan Funk, Calvin Swendsen, Les Smith, Claire Sherner, Cordell Johnson, Sandra Bair, and Carl Howlett has been a very pleasant experience... Richmond is a better place to live because of you. It has been a great pleasure working with the City Council, Boyd Lewis, Recorder and Kaye Bell, Tresurer. Working with all city employees, past and present has been a very positive experience."1

He was succeeded by Kip Panter.

Bishop & Patriarch

Bishopric 1st Councilor

Derwin served as the 1st Councilor in a Utah State University 8th ward for a short time from Oct 18, 1859 to Sep of 1960. 

Bishop of the Richmond 4th Ward

Derwin served as Bishop of the Richmond 4th Ward from Dec 20, 1981 to March 22, 1987

Patriarch

Derwin was ordained a Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Nov 30, 1994. He served as a Patriarch in the Richmond Stake for some years before moving to Smithfield, Utah and being sustained as a Patriarch of the Smithfield Stake.

LDS Missions

Single Adult Mission

Derwin served his first mission in the Northwestern States that covered Idaho, Oregon and Washington. He began his service March 24, 1954 and served until March 25, 1956

Singapore Couples Mission

Derwin, along with Launa, served in Singapore Mission as a couple. Thy served in Malaysia & Pakistan while on their mission. They began Jan 3, 1996 and ended July 11, 1997.

Welfare Service Mission

On Nov 14, 2000, Derwin was called to serve as a Welfare Services International Missionary in Yangon and Myanmar in the Cambodia Mission. He served until May 14, 2002.

Mongolia Couples Mission

Derwin and Launa served in the Mongolia Mission from Aug 26, 2005 to Feb 23, 2005. While their, Derwin was called as the second councilor of the Mission Presidency.

Service Missionary, Family History Center

Derwin served as a Church Service Missionary Staff Member in the Logan, Utah Tabernacle in the Family History Center from April 15, 2008 to May 5, 2009.

Epilogue