James Edward Merrill, 74, of Cumberland, passed away Tuesday September 14, 2021, peacefully at home. Born June 9, 1947, in Cumberland, he was the son of the late Lex and Dolores Merrill. He is survived in death by his daughter, Jennifer Merrill; a brother John Merrill, sister-in-law Frances; a sister, Sandra Rose, brother-in-law Don; a sister, Joni Howser, brother-in-law David; a brother, Walter Merrill, sister-in-law Rhonda; a brother, Lex Merrill, sister-in-law Rachel; a sister, Deborah Broman, brother-in-law Donald; a brother, Robert Merrill, sister-in-law Carol; and a sister, Kim Sue Pannone; six grandchildren, Shayne', Gabriel, Isaiah, Zane, Lily, and Timothy; six great-grandchildren, Briley, Brantlee, Koulson, Willow, and two babies due this year. He was a graduate of Fort Hill High School with the Class of 1965. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and served our country for two years as a boatswain earning a National Defense Service Medal. He was a carpenter by trade. James, "Jim," as most close to him called him, was a stubborn man, who loved fiercely. He loved to be alone, but you would never know it. He always made everyone feel like they were at home in his presence. He was always the first to lend a hand to anyone in need. He was the pappy who made you sit at the table until dark learning your spelling words and yelling at you while doing it. Of course out of pure love, but you knew how to spell them backwards by the end of the week, proud to show him your 100% every week. He was an avid collector of all things, especially watches, vinyl records, coins, shoes, and fine China. I can still hear him excitedly showing me a new piece he found and it was always just the best one yet. More times than not if you visited him, he had either a beer or a cup of that crappy box wine in one hand with a cigarette in the other. Most nights growing up you would be lying in bed smelling the amazing food he was making himself and genuinely confused when you saw the ingredients that he used. Which on those nights you would also smell the cigarettes he was supposed to be smoking in the basement or on the porch. But he never listened. He was the most amazing cook and spent a lot of time watching golf or cooking shows. He would not want us to make a big fuss about his passing, quite honestly, he used to joke with me that when he passes just to throw him in the back yard. But I know he would appreciate everything that I have been planning. As of now, the date of his celebration of life will be put in the paper once it's finally planned. His small ceremony at Rocky Gap, where his ashes will be buried, which will be for immediate family. A Celebration of Life will be held at Constitution Park, Pavilion #5, on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, from 5 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, cash donations or checks can be mailed to Shayne Musick; 319 Maryland Ave Westernport, Maryland 21562, to help offset the unexpected funeral costs and settling his affairs.