Source Credit: Arizona Republic

Mercer, Edward Joseph (Ed)
82, passed away attended by loved ones, in hospital Tuesday Nov 26, 2013 due to complications of pneumonia. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, he joined the US Navy at an early age, eventually serving more than 27 years of active duty, ultimately attaining the rank of Senior Chief. He served aboard the USS Roosevelt, the USS Luce and the USS RK Turner as a Radioman, specializing in Communications and Cryptology. Tours of duty included Viet Nam, Londonderry, Northern Ireland and a stint teaching Basic Electronics at the US Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA. Military duties permitting, he actively participated in his children's lives by coaching Little League Baseball, as a Boy Scout Troop Leader, encouraging interests in science such as Astronomy, and teaching 3 teenagers how to drive. Still a vibrant youthful man when he left the Navy, he pursued a second career teaching Electronics at Arizona Tech, later renamed as ITT Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Edward is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Peggy; sons Timothy and James; daughter Victoria; grandchildren Jaan, Sean and Tara; great-grandkids Reese, Brynlee, Payton and Harper; brothers Charles, Alfred and Fred; Dachshunds Missy and Peenut. Granddaughter Tamra preceded Ed in death 7 years to the day. Visitation will be held Thursday Dec 26, 2013 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Messinger Indian School Mortuary at 7601 E Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ. Full Military Service will be Friday Dec 27, 2013 at 1 pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 23029 N Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Ed's name to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. The Family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses and Staff at Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, AZ who worked so hard to ease his passing and make his last days as comfortable as possible.

Published in The Arizona Republic on Dec. 24, 2013