Robert J. Merchant

Robert J. (Bob) Merchant, 86, of Albany, GA, died Thursday, March 1, 2012 at Willson Hospice House. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11:00 AM at Mathews Funeral Home. Reverend Ron Holman will officiate. Committal services will follow in the Blakely City Cemetery with Reverend Ben Liggin officiating

A native of Willacoochee, GA, Mr. Merchant graduated from Willacoochee High School and served in the US Navy Air Corps during World War II. Afterwards, he attended and graduated from The University of Georgia.

Mr. Merchant moved to Albany, GA in 1948 and was one of the original or early partners of the CPA firms of Mauldin and Jenkins, Draffin and Tucker, Merchant and Henderson and Merchant, Sculley and Adair. 2012 marked his sixty year membership in the Georgia CPA Society.

Mr. Merchant served on the board of directors for Home Federal of Albany and was an associate director for Georgia Federal Bank for twelve years. He was a member of the Salvation Army Board for several years and chaired the Building Committee for the Salvation Army’s Albany Chapel. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Albany and the Winsome Sunday School Class which included dear and devoted friends, John Watson and Joanne McClung. Mr. Merchant was a long time contributor to the Albany Rescue Mission and past member of the Albany Lions Club and Radium Country Club.

Survivors include his wife, Gloria Merchant of Albany, three sons, Randy Merchant and his wife, Nancy of Albany, Tim Merchant of Albany and Terry Merchant and his wife, Margaret of Leesburg nine grandchildren, Kelli and her husband, Rich of Buford, Joey of Savannah, Ashley and her husband Tim of Durango, CO, Katherine of Columbus, Bill of Macon, Keri of Albany, Michael, Andrew and Ryan all of Leesburg, five great-grandchildren, his sister, Ludell Vickers of Quincy, FL and several nieces, nephews and cousins who he dearly loved. He was preceded in death by a son, Robby Merchant, a brother, Carroll Merchant and a sister, Mary Frances Liggin.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home.

Those desiring may make memorials to The Albany Rescue Mission, 604 N. Monroe St., Albany, GA, 31701.