Mazel M. Merrill, Jr. passed away in San Antonio on July 31, 2005. Mazel was born on February 17, 1951 in Dallas to Mazel M. and Marjorie Merrill, Sr. He graduated from W.T. White High School after which he received a BBA in Accounting from Texas Tech University. He attended the 5th Church of Christ, Scientist, in Dallas. Mazel was a CPA, as well as President and Owner of Texas State Utilities. Lindsey Long and Mazel married on March 19, 1988. Their son, Austin, completed their family and was the focus of their lives. Mazel embraced life with a passion and zeal that defied conventional boundaries. His seemingly limitless energy and concern for others were distinctive hallmarks of a life lived in service to God, family and friends. Mazel was important to so many people and nurtured relationships with untiring devotion. If Mazel loved you, he took care of you. He lived the Golden Rule. Mazel loved to laugh, to entertain and made even the most routine events fun. His beautiful smile and twinkly eyes perfectly matched his infectious enthusiasm for life. Whether it was skiing moguls with Austin, building sand castles at the beach or traveling to a new place, Mazel embraced making memories with his family and friends. Wherever he went, Mazel played golf. Cypress Point held a special place in his “golfer’s heart”. The Gladney Center for Adoption was a special place for Mazel as it was through Gladney that the Merrills became a family. Mazel was a proud co-founder of the Tarrant County Auxiliary’s annual fundraising golf tournament, Blossoms in the Rough. He served as a founding member of the Board of Governors of The Gladney Cup, a nationally recognized philanthropic golf tournament. He was especially proud to serve on the Board of Directors of The Gladney Fund. In 2004, Mazel received the 10th Annual Leslie Amend Memorial Award for his devoted service to Gladney. Survivors include his wife, Lindsey Long Merrill; son, Austin Allyn Merrill; father, Mazel M. Merrill, Sr.; uncle and aunt, John and Susan Depew; numerous other friends and family. His mother, Marjorie Merrill, and his brother, Bob Merrill, preceded Mazel in death. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at the First Presbyterian Church, One Thousand Penn Street in Fort Worth with the Reverend Dr. Michael Waschevski and Mrs. Jan Keeler officiating. The family will receive friends at The Gladney Center (6300 John Ryan Dr.) immediately following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gladney Fund 6300 John Ryan Dr., Ft. Worth, Texas 76132.