Merle Dewayne Cowell passed away peacefully at his home in Wellton, Arizona on Friday, April 21, 2017, at the age of 84.

Merle was born on February 16, 1933 in Delmont, South Dakota to Alvie and Ella Cowell.  He grew up with three sisters, Delores, Caramae, and Betty.  Merle enlisted in the U.S. AirForce in 1951 serving as a mechanic in Korea during the war.  After his honorable discharge Merle worked for General Motors Corporation rising to the position of Sales and Service Manager for California and Nevada.  He was known for his single minded desire to be the best in sales and service in the nation.  He became known as "Merle the Hammer" for his continued reminder to dealerships to keep hammering out those sales.

In his retirement, Merle continued to enjoy repairing engines of all types, rebuilding several cars with his sons Greg and Gary and repairing neighbor lawn movers as a hobby.

Always the country boy, Merle spent most of his adult life on his farm in Wilton, California.  Merle raised a few cattle, a horse, chickens and other small animals.  His barn was always filled with boats, cars and motorcycles all in the process of being repaired.

On March 31,2012, Merle married his loving wife, Janet Denning Cowell.  "I am blessed to have had her in my life" said Merle.  Janet and Merle enjoyed traveling in their motorhome that allowed them to travel across the nation.  Merle especially enjoyed summer in the State of Alaska where he could fish for weeks on end and enjoy the natural wonders of the state.  Merle and Janet finally settled down in Wellton, Arizona where they purchased a home and Merle began to learn how to golf when he was not four-wheeling or working on a project at home.

Merle is survived by his first wife Rose, the mother of his children, wife Janet, and his children Janet Cowell Nichols of Albany, California and Gary Lee Cowell of Wilton, California, daughter in law Jo Cowell, grandchildren Kristin Nichols Warrner, Robert E. Nichols, Cody Cowell, Nicole Cowell, Natalie Cowell and great grandchildren Audrianna Cowell, Anthony Cowell and Betty Warrner.

Merle was preceded in death by his wife Joyce Armfield Cowell and son Greg Cowell and daughter Kathy Cowell.

Merle Dewayne Cowell will be dearly missed by all who knew him.