On a warm summer day, a beautiful spirit was born. On July 16, 1921 Charles and Ada Breckenridge Southard welcomed their baby, Merle Donald Southard, into the world. Born in Willow Springs Township, Kansas - a settlement outside of Lawrence - Merle was raised on his family property and farm with his two brothers and sister. A farm-boy he became, learning the ropes of farm life. Cows, chickens, horses, dogs, early rising and hard long work were commonplace for Merle. His life on the farm yielded great skill and reward as he matured through his life.

While working on the farm, Mr. Southard was educated in a one-room school house, later graduating from Vinland High School, where he played the cornet in band. Merle eventually married Nellie Forest, and to this union, their daughter, Pamela was born. He later moved into the Lawrence and married Ahnawake Gandy until her passing. To this union, five children were raised: Edward “Butch”, Beverly, Donald, Rondel and Marlon on Indiana Street in Lawrence.

In his working years, Mr. Southard managed the farm and also gained employment at the Lawrence Paper Company and later at Kansas Public Service, where he would retire. Merle also managed his own business, sometimes even delivering rock or working on projects on his lunch breaks. Merle maintained his business for decades. He hauled rock, mulch, foliage and whatever else could fit in his truck along with providing snow removal services, grading services, tractor mowing services and fixing whatever needed fixing. If not on one his several tractors, he was seen in his white or green truck strolling down the street. With the help of his sons Merle continued to provide grading and snow removal in Lawrence and the surrounding areas.

After his wife passed, Merle found love again and married his wife of more than 30 years, Mrs. Irene Southard, and became a step-father to Tycke Williams. Mr. Southard’s passions were wide and vast. He enjoyed traveling in and outside of the country; reading maps; watching Nascar races on Sunday afternoons and sports on his TV downstairs; music; working in the garage, animals and all things nature; taking car rides; the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas City Chiefs; walking the dog and spending time and having coffee with his buddies around Lawrence. He was also a self-made inventor, creating many machines like his walnut press. Merle loved his wife, family and grandchildren, his beloved dog, Ginger, all his friends and neighbors and most of all, Merle loved the Lord. He enjoyed attending church whenever he was able. Mr. Southard was a quiet man – seldom to complain and always appreciated people. Merle became ill two years ago and was cared for by his loving wife, Irene, until he inherited his wings to Heaven. Even in the end, Merle’s request was a sip of orange soda-pop. He will be missed by all those who knew him, especially his family.

Mr. Southard was preceded in death by his father, Charles Southard; mother, Ada Breckenridge Southard; his former wife, Ahnawake Gandy Southard and infant son, Thomas Southard; brothers, Arvie and Elbert Southard and his sister, Christine Southard.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Irene Southard (Lawrence, KS); sons, Edward "Butch" (Sandy) Sangster (Lawrence, KS), Donald Mark (Lisa) Southard (Lawrence, KS), Rondel Southard (Tulsa, OK), Marlon (LaNelle) Southard (Raytown, MO), Tycke (Dylyn) Williams (Lawrence, KS); daughters, Pamela (Steven) Johnson, Beverly (Frederick) Southard Richardson (Washington, DC); brother-in-law, Dennis White (Lawrence, KS); sister-in-law, Gaylene White (Lawrence, KS); 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, friends and his beloved dog, Ginger.

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