Merv Fourtner

Merv was born to Darrell Lee Fourtner and Nell Rose Brinkley Fourtner, in Lamar, CO, where his parents, grandparents and uncles were all dry-land wheat farmers and ranchers. He grew up in Pritchett, CO, where his grandparents, who played an influential role in Merv’s upbringing, came from Arkansas to homestead the land in Colorado, starting from nothing. Literally. Merv remembers these times as the “first” best days of his life. If you have ever met a person raised on a Ranch or Farm, you know how capable they grow to be.

The family moved to El Paso, TX in 1958, where his parents owned the Tupperware Distributorship. Merv worked, not only on the farm, milking cows, gathering hen eggs, and a gillion other chores, but also in the warehouse packing Tupperware orders, answering phones, and every other job required. He was a competent, capable boy, young man, and grown man…all his life. His parents both had ill health and Merv had to grow up very quickly. He attended El Paso High School and graduated in 1965, and then promptly married the love of his life, Me! I was only seventeen and he was one year more. In High School, he was on the track team , where he participated in the discus and shotput events. He excelled at swimming and, anything he ever attempted. 

Primarily, Merv wanted to be remembered as a Preacher of the Gospel of Christ, which he continued to do until his passing to his Heavenly Home. The 1970’s brought boundless joy to Merv, as he and a Geologist took an Oil and Gas company public, Aztec Resources. They were great partners and great friends. These were the “second” best years of his life.

 In the mid 1980’s, Merv began a career with The Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York. For over 30 years he enabled his clients to solve their financial problems and build wealth for their families. It was always in his nature to solve problems and help people in need. That is what a Christian does. 

When he retired from The Equitable, at age 62, he graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Academy, obviously as the oldest student. He excelled in everything, including graduating from the Border Patrol Bike Patrol Training Course, which few completed, and all younger than he. As mentioned, Merv excelled at everything.

His children are Elizabeth Rose Morales (56) and David Lee Fourtner (54). His grandchildren are Erial Sneider (34), Esai Morales (21), William Lee Fourtner (15), and Cecilia Rose Fourtner (12). Merv put his children and me through college, because he was so wonderful, but also, he very much appreciated that I worked so that he could attend the School of Preaching and Metropolitan State University at Denver to achieve a BS in Accounting. He worked on his master’s and got as far as the dissertation requirement. He never had time. God and his family were priority.

This is Merv’s story of Celebration, composed by his wife of 59 years, Sharon Bernard Fourtner, because indeed, we celebrate his life devoted to God. The way we approached life was this: if you love rainbows, you must appreciate and understand the rain.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Homes-West, 480 N. Resler Dr. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Homes-West. A Graveside Service will follow at 11:30am at Memory Gardens of the Valley Cemetery,  4900 McNutt Rd, Santa Teresa, NM 88008.

Services are entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-West. Please visit his online memorial at:  www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.