William Scott Tarpley

William Scott Tarpley, The Man. The Myth. The Legend. Mr. Merkel himself died unexpectedly on August 10, 2021 at Hendrick’s Medical Center in Abilene, TX. They say the cause of death was COVID but we really believe he just couldn’t take listening to another Biden speech. Scott was born on July 4, 1957 in Merkel, TX and enjoyed telling everyone that people are really celebrating him that day and one day it would be called Scott’s Day. Scott graduated from Merkel High School (1975) and from Angelo State University (1979) as an accountant. He lasted approximately one week before going back to the oilfield where he is known as the go-to guy. Scott married Sherlyn Guenther on March 29, 1980. He planted his roots in Merkel, TX and you’d rarely find him outside of Jones or Taylor county. He was the manager of Crescent Supply Company for 30 plus years where he enjoyed talking to every single person who walked through the door, hosted morning coffee gossip, and afternoon domino games. He even became progressive and hired his first female employee a couple months ago which confused the hell out of everyone who called. Scott loved many things including his family, friends, farming, the oilfield, all things Merkel, gossiping, Look Who Got Busted.com, Coors Light, a good party, Morgan Reatherford jam sessions, taking the grandkids to cuss at the farm, never meeting a stranger, but most importantly helping others. Scott is survived by his wife, “Hoooney” of 41 years Sherlyn Tarpley; his daughters Kayla Brooks and her husband Erik Brooks, Kayce McElreath and her husband Rode McElreath, Kenzie Aguilar and her husband Chris Aguilar, his son Clayton Tarpley and his finance Madison Brown; his 6 grandchildren Tayvie McElreath, Kenley Brooks, Jett McElreath, Jase Brooks, Jaxon McElreath, and Rylee Brooks; his mother Bobbye Tarpley; his sister Gwen Wetsel all of Merkel; brother Steven Tarpley and wife Jackie of Abilene and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Billy Boyd Tarpley of Merkel. Visitation will be held at Starbuck’s Funeral Home in Merkel on Thursday, August 12th from 6:00-8:00pm. Graveside Services will be held at Compere Cemetery on Friday, August 13th at 9:30am for family and close friends. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at Tin Cup Country Club in Merkel on Friday, August 13th starting at 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Scott Tarpley Memorial Foundation at P.O. Box 430, Merkel, TX 79536 or stop by Prosperity Bank in Merkel. These funds will be used to service the students at Merkel ISD.

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