Merritt Charles Cameron Merritt, 50, of Gulf Breeze passed away July 5 after a courageous fight against colon cancer.

Merritt was born Jan. 21, 1958 to Charles and Gretchen Merritt of Gulf Breeze. He lived all over the United States but always considered Gulf Breeze his home. He loved to fish and swim in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Santa Rosa Sound.

Cameron was a people magnet and is survived by not only his family, but friends from all over the country. Family survivors include his parents, Charles and Gretchen Merritt, Gulf Breeze; siblings Dan and Cathy Merritt, Longview, Texas; Jennifer and Tom Johnson, Pensacola, and Marla and Harvey Peak, Maryville, Tenn.

He was the favorite Uncle Cameron to his niece, nephews and greats. They loved when Uncle Cameron came around as a good time would always follow! They are: Lee, Chrisie, Daniel and Matthew Ryan Merritt, Longview, Texas; Matt, Lara, Olivia and Rylee Merritt, Austin, Texas; Chad, Stacy, Nathan and Allison Peak, Maryville, Tenn. Rick, Anna and Kate Johnson, Pensacola; Teresa, Greg, Merritt, McKenna, Marae, Dalton and Peyton Herrmann, Bristol, Tenn; Ryan and Jennifer Merritt, Boca Raton; and Cameron, Christy and Chase Cameron Johnson of Fort Walton Beach.

Memorials can be made in Cameron's name to St. Mary's Foundation-Hospice, 900 East Oak Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37917-4556. Attention: Charlene McBee or charity of your choice.