Brother, uncle and friend Monte L. Merrick died peacefully on March 24 in Santa Monica, following a courageous battle with cancer. Monte was a Malibu resident for more than 20 years.
Monte was born Oct. 6, 1949 in Portland, Oregon to parents Arthur P. and Pearl Merrick, who preceded him in death.
“He will be missed greatly by so many who knew him as a caring and genuine man with many interests and creative talents,” a loved one shared. “A creative genius, Monte was an accomplished and successful playwright, novelist and screenwriter.”
His first novel, “Shelter,” was published in many languages. His screen credits include writing hit films, including “Memphis Belle,” “8 Seconds” and “Mr. Baseball.” His plays were produced off-Broadway and in theaters across the country; they include “Open Heart” and “A Hell of a Town.”
He traveled the world for many years and was devoted to opera and symphony music, reading, movies and theater.
He is survived by four siblings: Art (Velva) Merrick of Santa Fe, N.M.; Blake (Kimberly) Merrick of Phoenix, Ariz.; MarKay Merrick (Steve Spaulding) of Gresham, Ore.; and Lori Merrick Silkwood of Tucker, Ga., and her children, Hanna and Aaron Silkwood.
He is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College in Portland and holds a master’s degree in theater from the University of Colorado in Boulder. No memorial service has been planned, but donations may be made to The Nature Conservancy at nature.org.