James was born on Tuesday 25th January 1977 in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The son of Marilyn & Rob Merritt he grew up in Trowbridge. James mom Marilyn then went on to have his sister Joanne in June 1981 and the Merritt family was complete. The Merritt's lived next to the Rush family, where they shared many happy times. James enjoyed playing with their children Katie, Kevin and Paul. He especially liked teasing Katie. James also liked to wind-up his sister Joanne and the sibling rivalry between the two was a feature of those early years

His began his school days at St. Mary's Primary and although he was a quiet and slightly shy boy he was very popular there - so much so that he remained close friends with many of his classmates right throughout his life. These include :- James Cullen, James Taylor and David Larkins.

All three boys followed James onto Clarendon Secondary School where he thrived in all subjects prior to going forward to his further education years at Bath College. Whilst studying there James would meet Richard Phillips, Mark Sharman & Ross Thomas, and just like his school pals these lads would remain as lifelong friends.

James and his dad shared a keen interest in motor racing (they enjoyed many happy days together at Race Meetings or the thrill they got at Formula One Grand Prix events) this interest spread to engineering in general, James certainly had a flair for everything mechanical and so when his college years were successfully completed it was perfectly natural for James to begin an apprenticeship to become a Mechanical Engineer.

His working career began with a short-term posting at Avon Tyres, but James quickly earned a full-time role within the Blue Circle Group where he would meet Pete ('Sludge') Slade, Chris ('Finch') Brown, Andy (Aitch) Harding plus Jack Shibley who was to become his work mentor, Jack and James held mutual respect for one another.
With Jack's promptings, James' own natural flair, and a lot of hard work James would quickly develop into a very skilled Engineer. James' expertise and his dilligence when performimg his tasks ensured that throughout his career he became trusted, and genuinely respected by all of his colleagues. Indeed his efforts were recognised throughout the trade. In 2014 he won a very prestigious industry-wide award when he was selected as the UK's Engineering Surveyor of The Year

James was a devoted son to his parents, and despite all the mickey-taking he was a loving brother to his sister, he became a completely reliable colleague, and a good friend to many, Certainly all those who knew him would agree that he had an built-in kindness, and cared for everyone. But James the man really blossomed after he became a husband.

When he took his place at the head of his own family and then later became a father to his son Oliver, James took on a new responsibilty, and in doing so he acquired an assurance and a strength that very few people can achieve. These attributes were to become an important part of James life story

This part of James story began when he met Kimberley Gowen on a beach in Cyprus. James would later go on to state in his wedding speech that his first impression of Kim was "her boobs" - but he soon turned his attention to her heart, and after a 3 year courtship they married on Saturday 21st july 2007 

James & Kim bought a house in Hampton Magna in Warwickshire, and made it into a perfect home for the perfect couple, always side by side, always smiling, playing hosts to guests or simply sharing happy days with family or with their many friends.

They also shared wonderful holidays - some would be exotic, including going to Italy with Rob & Marilyn, plus to Florida with Kim's parents (John & Gwen) then having a fabulous honeymoon on Safari in Kenya, and famously Kim surprised James by secretly arranging for them to have a trip to New York to celebrate James' birthday. But location wasn't really important for they would have just as much fun during camping holidays to Woodlands in Devon. It may sound like a cliche, but they truly made a perfect couple.

Their lives would change forever in 2010 when Kim became pregnant with their 1st child. The pregnancy was frought with difficulties from the start, culminating with baby Oliver being born severly premature on 16th November. Oliver was a tiny and under-developed baby. It was heart rending to see this pitiful little child inside an incubator - and gave great concerns for his future. Oliver would stay there for many long months. This all happened just as the the worst winter in the UK since1963 had started. Snow fell for 30 successive days, temperatures plummeted to record depths and stayed below freezing for most of the next 4 months. Roads were often closed, Travelling was dangerous and stressful for everyone. Yet through all those dark days James & Kim drove round trips of more than 80miles daily to be with their baby. Never missing a day

James found a strength that we hadn't seen before, his calmness, allied to this new strength helped Kim through these dark days and he truly became the rock on which their house would thrive.

Baby Oliver faced many challenges, including heart surgery when he was just a few weeks old. He was so tiny that this didnt seem possible. But he was our "Miracle Baby" and James, together with Olly's grand father John never allowed Kim or anyone to ever doubt that he would survive.  Olly would have many hurdles to get over during the next 4 years - but survive he did, and become a doting son to James.

Then just as Olly began to thrive James & Kim were blessed with the birth of their beautiful daughter Evelyn who was born on 1st September 2014.  "Evie" made their household complete and it has been wonderful to see how they have lived through these last 2 years.

Fatherhood helped James develop an understanding for his role in society. He became much more of a leader than he had been previously. Though James was basically a quiet and un-assuming person he had become a very impressive man. Someone that others could look up to.

Fate can be a very fickle lady, and she struck James a blow during 2014 when he was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. To be told this was devasting, as it would be for everyone, and initially James did struggle, but with Kim at his side he found the courage he needed to take on this latest fight. Well fight he did.
James probably did cry when he was alone with Kim - but he never cried in front of anyone else. He demonstrated a courage, a strength and a dignity that should be an inspiration to us all.  He had an operation to remove a tumour followed by months of treatment. Then he embarked on a strict exercise regime to help him to win his battle and beat the cancer.

What an experience, and what an achievement by James. We learn from these episodes and he certainly did. So onwards and upwards they went again.

Then just when their life routine settled and was at the very best it had ever been Fate intervened again - this time she did her very worst and took this wonderful man from us.

I won't enlarge on that fact. It simply hurts too much.

We all must face death one day. It is our destiny.
But when it happens so suddenley it seems so unfair. It's like receiving a dagger to our hearts and throws us into turmoil.

As the writer of the lines on this page I admit that I am not a religious person.
But I may be wrong.
We all hope that there is a place where we go after we depart this earth.

Heaven we call it -- well if heaven does exist then James Merritt will surely have a place next to the best of gods angels right now.

For those of us that are still here, we can make it a goal for ourselves that we earn the right to take a place alongside him. 

If by sharing these pages, by contributing our input on here and by viewing these pages once in a while we can get to keep James close by - then perhaps we will all be better for doing it

For now let's just say...

God Bless you forever James xx