Merle Harold Hart

Aumsville- Merle Harold Hart was born August 4, 1943, in Pendleton, Oregon, to Harold Merle and Lydia Emma (Lentz) Hart. He grew up in Pendleton and played baseball in his youth, graduating from Pendleton High School in 1961. Merle attended Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande from 1961 to 1965 before transferring to Oregon State University in Corvallis. Merle’s aunt introduced him to Loxi Leigh Fielder and the two quickly fell in love. Before he headed off to OSU, the two were married on September 12, 1965, in Walla Walla, Washington.  Merle attended OSU from 1965 to 1967 where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management. Right out of college Merle took a job with Oregon State Police and he and Loxi started a family, welcoming a son in 1968 and another son in 1972. Merle ran a tight ship at home as he did at work, always timely, organized, and on task and expected the same from those around him both at work and in his personal life. He adored his family and was very generous to those around him. Merle enjoyed hunting for waterfowl, fishing, and golf when he had spare time.  During his years as a Trooper with OSP, Merle worked as a Lieutenant Homicide Detective until he retired. He was a man of integrity and a dedicated worker, taking his well-deserved retirement in 1993 after more than 26 years on the job. Merle was able to enjoy many years of retirement until he passed away on January 31, 2021, at the age of 77.  Merle was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Carter Jean Hart. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 45 years, Loxi; his sons Jeffrey David (Elsie) Hart and Christopher Lee (Suzanne) Hart; and siblings Nan Denise Hart of Baker City, Oregon, and Arlene Dawn (Nelson) Hart of Keizer, Oregon.