More detail on this person: Merrill Travis Adamcik was born in El Campo, Texas on August 17,
1936 to Lewis and Lillie Adamcik. Merrill went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 22, 2013
due to complications from heart disease.
Merrill attended El Campo High School where he was a member of the Ricebird band and Future
Farmers of America. He attended Texas A&M where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and
played saxophone in the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band. Upon graduation in 1958 he attended and
graduated from Army Flight School in 1960. As an Army Aviator, he was then assigned to the 14th
Armored Cavalry in Germany. In 1963, he returned to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma for Advanced Artillery
School, and upon graduating, was assigned to Ft. Benning, Georgia. There he began flying the Caribou
or CV-2B (cargo aircraft), which he flew in Vietnam for one year. Later he spent his second year in
Vietnam flying the Chinook helicopter. He also served in Korea. He and Doris, his companion of 49
years, married March 1964 in Houston, Texas. In 1972, he attended and graduated from the Army's
Command and General Staff College. Upon his retirement in 1978 as Lt. Colonel, he and his family
moved back to El Campo, Texas where he farmed for 15 years. He also served as Wharton County
Commissioner, Pct.3. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and also a
member of the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, Army Otter-Caribou Association, Veterans
of Foreign Wars, Elks Lodge #1749, Czech Heritage Society, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 72
and American Legion Post #251, where he served as Past Commander. He also served as Board
Member of the El Campo Heritage Center.
Through the years, Merrill made time for family and friends and especially enjoyed gardening and
traveling. Watching Texas Aggie football was a favorite pastime. He shared his passion for gardening
by giving away his prized homegrown fruits and vegetables to family and friends. His tremendous love
for his grandchildren was evident by their numerous pictures hung, taped and framed around his
office desk.
Visitation will begin at 1 pm on Friday, October 25, 2013 at Triska Funeral Home. The family will
receive visitors from 5 - 7 pm. Funeral service will be at 2 pm on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at
First United Methodist Church with Pastor Beverly Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow with
full military honors at Garden of Memories Cemetery under the auspices of the American Legion Post
#251.
At the request of the family, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Methodist
Church, American Legion Post #251, Elks Lodge #1749 or a charity of choice.
This information was last updated 11/21/2019
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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
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