Richard Sellwood “Rick” Mershon II, age 76, of Grand Marais, formerly of Duluth, died Saturday, May 30, at Essentia St. Mary’s. Rick was born Feb. 1, 1944, in Duluth, to Richard and Dorothy (Salyards) Mershon. He graduated from Taft Preparatory School in Watertown, Connecticut, and attended the University of Minnesota Duluth as an English major with a Coaching minor. He was captain of the Taft School hockey team in 1962 & 1963. Rick played professional soccer as a goalie for the Minnesota All-Stars in 1967 and was known to be the only American born team member. He also played for the Minnesota Jeno’s Jets soccer team in the late 1960s.
Rick worked as a sales representative for a brokerage company, along with being a realtor for many years. He enjoyed coaching soccer and hockey in Esko and was a very passionate spectator for his son’s high school basketball, football, and track career. In his spare time, he would spend endless hours looking for agates, deer sheds, hunting, fishing, trapping and teaching fly fishing on the North Shore. He always looked forward to the Fourth of July and setting off the loudest, brightest fireworks on the lake. When Christmas came, he would start counting the days until we would open presents and indulge in his favorite treats. He was a child at heart through and through and enjoyed all the time he had with his grandchildren and extended family sharing his favorite past times.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Dorothy and his brother Scott Mershon.
Rick is survived by his daughter, Tina Mershon and her children, Bennett (Kami) Blanton and Madison Blanton and her son, Jagger; his son, Rick (Leslie) Mershon and his daughters, Lauren, Kayla and Ally; siblings, Dodie Mooney, Ted Mershon, Trace (Beth) Mershon, Liat (Kevin) Beamish, Heidi Meyer, and the love of his life, Anita Mershon Sinnott and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A casual indoor/outdoor Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 13, from 12-3 p.m. at the Buffalo House, 2590 Guss Road, Esko, Minnesota 55810. Social distancing will be practiced. Condolences to 96 High Ridge Trail, Esko, Minnesota 55733. Arrangements by the Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth, Minnesota (218) 727-3555.
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