Clinton Franklin Merritt, 67, of Opp, formerly of Samson, died Thursday, August 3, 2000 at his residence. 
    He was a Korean War veteran and an Alabama State Trooper Sgt. from October 1956 until January 1985. 
    Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, from Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Monroe Sasser and former governor Fob James officiating. Special music was provided by Martha, Betty and Jewel Sasser, Charles Bass, and Lamar Morris.  Burial followed in Peaceful Acres Cemetery. Wyatt Funeral Home directed. 
    Merritt was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen Louise. 
    He is survived by his wife, Virginia Bartlett Merritt; two sons and daughters-in-law, William Thomas (Tom) and Rebecca Merritt of Headland and Byron Alan and Elaine B. Merritt of Millbrook; his mother, Louise Davis Merritt; and five grandchildren, Ashley Paige Merritt, William Tyler Merritt, Thomas David Merritt, Brian Corbin and Kristina Corbin. 
    Serving as pallbearers were Alabama State Troopers Dale Cobb, Elijah Jones, Charles Ward and Frank Higginbotham, and Florida State Troopers Charles Johnson and Ralph Johnson, who were Merritt's nephews. 
    Serving as honorary pallbearers were retired state troopers and coffee shop friends.