Guy “Tripp” Merritt

Guy “Tripp” Merritt, 52,  Pittston,  passed away Monday at Wilkes Barre General Hospital after being stricken ill at home.  His wife is the former Pamela Miller.

He was the son of the late Guy Merritt, Jr. and Linda Wallace Merritt.  Tripp attended schools in North Carolina and University of North Carolina, Charlotte. He was a proud soldier of the United States Coast Guard.

He was an avid North Carolina Tar Heels fan and was a phenomenal football coach at various colleges across the country. He was currently employed by Fox Hills Country Club.

He loved his family, especially his wife and daughters. In death, Tripp generously helped others with the Gift of Life donation.  

As Tripp would say “He was a husband, father, son, brother, coach, mentor, friend, and confidant to many, Tar heel fan born and raised.”

Surviving are daughters Ellie Merritt and Lizzie Merritt of Sugerloaf, PA; brother Doug Merritt and a sister Laney Merritt both of North Carolina.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday at 6pm in the Vanston and James Funeral Home 1401 Ash St., Scranton Pa.

 Friends may call Friday from 4pm until time of service.

All CDC guidelines including the mandatory use of facial coverings as well as proper social distancing will be strictly enforced.  Temperature checks will also be given upon entering the funeral home. 

Please be prepared to wait in line as we will be adhering to the Governor’s mandate of 25 people in the Funeral Home at one time. 

Interment, private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Burns High School football program in honor of Tripp to 307 E. Stagecoach Trial Lawndale, NC 28090

29 Comments

  1. Ann Marie Reilly

    Brian and I send our deepest sympathy. Prayers for all of you ?❤️

    • Mike & Donna Boos

      Our deepest sympathy and prayers to Pam and family. May God hold you all close and help you through this devastating time. ♥️

  2. Miller Lawson

    Tripp brightened my day whenever I saw or spoke with him. Sympathy from my heart.

  3. Dot & Dick Landis

    To Pamela, Doug, and Laney: We were so sorry to hear of Tripp’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Our son, Tim coached with Tripp for years. Tim, his wife, Karen, and their children were close friends. Our entire family knew him well as a friend, and excellent college coach .

  4. Janet Boos

    Joe and I send our deepest condolences to Pam and family. He was taken away way too soon. It’s so tragic, so sad. God will take care of him now.

  5. Kurt Bryan

    Dear Pam, Ellie and Lizzie, and Family,

    It is with deep regret and sympathies that I extend to you upon Tripp’s unexpected passing away.

    Tripp was my very close friend for 20-years, and I know that he loved you all dearly. You all made Tripp proud and happy.

    Tripp was a one of a kind man, a fun and strong leader, spirited, loving and a great friend, father, husband, coach and mentor.

    My family and I loved Tripp dearly and shall miss him terribly. We are comforted in the fact that he is at peace with the Lord and we shall all be together again with him someday in the future.

    God Bless you all and we wish we could attend the funeral service, but we shall visit his burial site in the future.

    In loving memory of my dear friend, Tripp Merritt.

  6. Bryon McMurry

    Sending love, thought, and prayer to your family , Tripp and I started out in the 4th grade together, his Cleveland County N.C. friends are deeply saddened . My wife Jenny also grew up/graduated with Tripp.

    • Paul Packard

      So sorry to hear this. This was way too soon. I have many fond memories from my childhood spent with the Merritts.

  7. Bryan Ward

    We went to high school together and the one thing I distinctively remember about Tripp was his contagious smile! So sad to hear about his passing, prayers and condolences to his family.

  8. Mike Verlander

    I knew Tripp from his time in Davidson, NC and am very saddened to hear this news. Tripp had high level of energy and a smile that was infectious. I always enjoyed the time I spent with him.

    My condolences to his family – especially Ellie and Lizzie. May God give you all comfort.

  9. Vic & Sandi Packard

    So sorry to hear of “Tripp’s“
    sudden passing Doug and Laney.
    I know he will be missed by
    all who knew or had met him
    and had seen that smile.
    May God heal the void in
    all your families hearts.
    Love to all.

  10. Tim McNeilly

    Laney, Doug, Pam and family, it is with much sadness to send you a message under this circumstances. I was devastated to hear of Tripp’s passing this week. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I can only reflect on our youth as we grew up together. We spent plenty of days playing sports in the front yard at the Merritt’s with Tripp and Doug. We can all reflect on those memories and remember Tripp. God bless you each during this difficult time.

  11. Jeff Benfield

    I had the distinct honor and joy to coach Tripp and Doug both in football and baseball – while watching Lanie grow up around their games. Bill and Linda were so supportive as parents. No family I ever coached left as much an impression on me, as did the Merritt family. The innate quickness to smile, show kindness and love, and devotion to family and friendships is such a testament to their character.
    I wish I had had the opportunity to know Tripp’s family, but I am sure his girls share those same incredible traits.
    My families prayers will be with you always.

  12. Vic Packard

    I am very saddened to hear of Tripps passing, I have very fond memories of Tripp from my early youth. You were the first real friend that I ever made and I have great memories of the times that we spent together. I still think very highly of you and always will as well as the rest of your family. May the peace of God be with your children, wife, Doug and Laney during this difficult time. Vic

  13. Tracy W.

    As a former high school classmate of Tripp’s, I am deeply saddened by the passing of such a caring and genuine person. Not only did we share our love for the Burns Bulldogs, but we were also Avid Tarheel fans and fellow UNC-Charlotte grads.
    One of my most treasured memories is when I asked Tripp to come speak to the entire class of 8th graders where I previously taught middle school. Tripp was a coach at Davidson College at the time. He cleared his schedule and spent the morning sharing his own personal challenges and victories while motivating more than 200 inner city young people. Thank you, Tripp!??

    Prayers of comfort and peace to the Merritt family.

  14. Jamie Hendricks

    Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Allow your faith and the love of your friends and family to comfort you at this most difficult time. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Tripp for many years but even more grateful to have had the privilege to call him my friend. You can be very proud of the positive impact that Tripp had on so many throughout his life.

  15. connie white

    Tripp was a wonderful class mate of mine,we graduated together from Burns High School,so sorry for your loss.

  16. Ray C.

    Tripp and I were classmates together on the Burns High Football team. We had a close relationship in those years. I was his center, he was my QB. Although my career took me far away I always followed him in the news and cheered for his success. Tripp was a great guy and by the sound of those who knew him in later life, a great man. My deepest condolences for your family’s tragic loss.

  17. Paul Saltzman

    Tripp coached our son and we were fortunate to have him at Davidson. He was lost to his family and his community at a much too early age. Our family sends our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

  18. Brian Raber

    Our Families condolences to Coach Merritt Family. I did not know him but am of the understanding that he played a key role in advancing a winning tradition at Davidson College.
    Our prayers are with the family

  19. Charlie and Carol Swanson

    We were so sad to hear of Coach Merritt’s death. Our son Bo Swanson played football at Davidson and I will never forget the hospitality and kindness the Merritt family showed at our recruiting visit. Coach Merritt’s kindness to his players and their families and his passion for football never wavered whether the team was winning or losing. He always wanted the best for his boys. He had such a positive impact on so many young men and will be dearly missed. Our love and prayers to Pam, Ellie and Lizzie, and all the Merritt family.

  20. Chester Kulesa

    Dear Family Members and Friends,

    In memory of Guy “Tripp” Merritt, we thank him for his service to the United States Coast Guard. Semper Paratus!

    Sincerely,

    Chester J. Kulesa, Secretary
    Northeastern Pennsylvania Coast Guard Veterans Association

  21. Beverly Putnam

    I had the privilege of teaching Tripp at Burns. He was the most polite, friendly young man. An outstanding athlete, he loved Burns High School football. I am so very sorry for his children and his family, especially Laney and Doug.

  22. Pam Tesh

    I knew Tripp at Davidson College when he coached football. I am deeply saddened Prayers for his family.

  23. Chris Hampton

    Coach Merritt was a role model to me and many other young men who played football for him. I am thankful for the opportunity of having played for him and the experience I shared with him at Davidson. I extend my deepest condolences to Coach’s family.

    Sincerely,
    Chris Hampton

  24. Gary Andrew

    I was sadden to learn of Tripp’s passing. I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Tripp from when he was head football coach at Davidson College. I was the head men’s track and field coach at that time and our offices were next door to each other. We had our most successful track and field seasons in the Southern Conference during the mid to late 2000s partly because of Tripp’s willingness to work with us and share his athletes with the track and field team. This was not the norm and we truly appreciated his generousity.

  25. Will Robinson

    Dear Merritt Family,
    I am so sorry to hear of Coach Merritt’s passing. I played for Coach at Davidson from 1993-1995. Although just a young coach at a that time, he was a tremendously talented coach and an inspiring leader. I will never forget his boundless energy, true love the game, and genuine concern for his players. Like many others, I know that I am blessed for having known him and played for him and counted him a friend. Please know his great example lives on in all those whom he coached and helped succeed.
    My prayers are with your entire family.

  26. The Ligo Family

    Our memories of Tripp are fond and light-filled. Never without a smile, Tripp had a warm, supportive embrace, literal and figurative, for everyone he met. We hope his daughters know what a gift he could be to those whose paths he crossed.

  27. Richard Howell

    Dear Merritt Family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Tripp. I played for him and coached with him at Davidson. We were also roommates for a while. I found Tripp to be a very knowledgeable and great coach. A generous man always willing to share his time, possessions and wisdom. He helped me in so many ways professionally and personally. I am indeed a better person for knowing him. I know he touched many lives. God bless the family and our prayers are with you.

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