Tulsa, OK – Alexander James Merrell was born at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, November 24, 2001. He passed away Sunday, November 24, 2024, in Kingsland, Georgia. Alex was a highly decorated Navy Submariner with several awards, medals, and ribbons. He joined the Navy when he was 17 and graduated from boot camp only 3 days after turning 18. Alex trained in Groton, Connecticut and Washington State before being stationed at Kings Bay Naval Base in Georgia. He was stationed on the USS Rhode Island SSBN-740 as a 2nd Class Petty officer (E5) Electronics Technicians, Submarine, Navigation (ETV2) Warfare Specialist. Alex achieved many honors including the National Defense Medal and the Pistol Marksman Medal, 2 Navy Marine Corp Achievement Medals and the Dolphin Warfare Specialist Pin. The Navy’s Dolphin Pin is also known as the Submarine Warfare Insignia; to earn this pin a submariner must complete a challenging qualification process that covers all the submarine’s systems.
Alex is predeceased by his grandparents, Johnny and Rose Merrell and grandma, Nona Hessman. He is survived by his father, Matthew Merrell, his mother and stepfather, Michelle and Jim Hessman, sisters, Samantha Merrell, Christina Hobbs, Jocelyn Hessman and Lily Hessman, brothers, Drew Hessman, Nik Hessman, Jack Hessman and Braden Merrell, grandparents, David Hessman, John and Debbie Oakley, aunt, Cheryl Price, cousins, Matthew Price, Jonah Price, Issac Price and John Price and ex-wife, Cherish Hathcoat.
Alex was very loved by his family and friends. He was a sweet soul and will be greatly missed. Alex passing will leave a void in our hearts that can never be filled.
Funeral Services are pending at Moore’s Eastlawn Chapel, 1908 South Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74112 918-622-1155. Military Rites and Interment will be at Kellyville City Cemetery in Kellyville, OK.
