James Lee Merritt, age 91 of Gunter, TX passed away on October 16, 2011 at Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman, TX surrounded by his family. James Lee was the first born of 4 children, born on January 17, 1920, in Celina, TX to Tonnie Z. and Ella (Stambaugh) Merritt. James Lee was married to Lorene McCarty and he was a farmer and drove a school bus for many years. He is survived by his children, Janice Willard and her husband Joe Frank of Plainview, TX and Bokchito, OK, Jimmy Merritt and his wife Judy of Celina, TX, Carol Pennington and her husband, Bruce of Harrisburg, AR and Steve Merritt of Celina, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Linda Willard of Weston, Jim Bob Willard and his wife Denise of Gunter, Ginger Lanham and her husband Jack of Celina, Keith Willard and his wife Mary of Celina, Kemp Willard of Celina, Patty Carter and her husband Roger of Mineola, James (Bubba) Merritt and his wife Stacy of Ben Wheeler, Dusty Dunn and her husband Jeremy of Van Alstyne and Taylor Merritt of Celina. He is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. In addition, he is survived by his sisters and brothers in law, Aarona and John Gracy and Ida Jean and Billy Hagains of Dallas, TX, and sister in law Betty Merritt of Celina, TX and several nieces and nephews. James Lee was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lorene in February of 2011, brother, Joe Merritt in July 2010, his grandson Joe Willard Jr. in December 2003 and his great grandson Zachery Willard in January 2004. The family will receive friends and family at a Visitation to be held prior to the Funeral Service on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 beginning at 1:00 PM at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral home in Gunter, TX. The funeral service will follow the Visitation at 2:00 pm also at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home in Gunter, TX, with Brother L.D. Byrd officiating. Interment will follow at Cottage Hill Cemetery in Celina where he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Lorene.