James Edward Merkel

James Edward Merkel of Chapel Hill died with dignity and grace on March 16, 2026.  He was born April 10, 1932 in Bay Shore, NY, the second son of Gustave Merkel and Julia Merkel née Hans.  He was preceded in death by his first wife of 29 years, Madeleine Sophie Merkel née McFarland, and by an infant daughter, Madeleine Mary Merkel. 

Jim was a graduate of Bay Shore High School in New York where he was active in school activities and proud to be a member of the football team.  He loved jokes and stories and always claimed to be the originator of the football platoon system.  He used to say he could never figure out where the ball was going and by the time he did, he was too slow to make tackles, therefore he played only on offense. 

Jim attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, and was graduated in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (BME).  While at RPI, he was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Newman Club, and the Theta Xi Fraternity where he was President during his senior year.  Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and assigned duty aboard Destroyer Escort, the USS Loeser (DE 680) as its First Lieutenant.  Upon completion of naval service, he began his business career with The New York Telephone Company in Brooklyn, New York.  While in the telephone business, he attended graduate studies at Cornell University and later completed AT&T’s prestigious Cooperstown Data Communications school. 

In 1964, he switched career paths and joined the IBM Corporation.  At IBM, he became known as a specialist in telecommunications regulations, tariffs, and standards.  He often represented IBM in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) activities.  He made major contributions to the FCC’s successful Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) Registration Program and received several commendations for his efforts.  Jim was a Licensed Professional Engineer in the states of New York and North Carolina. 

Jim, Madeleine, and their family of nine children became Tar Heels in 1972, arriving in Chapel Hill, NC, where they were active in the St. Thomas More (STM) Catholic Church and its School.  He was President of the STM’s Men’s Club for several years.  With his sons as helpers, he was a basketball coach in Chapel Hill’s youth recreation leagues for many seasons.  He was a member of the Orange County American Red Cross Board of Directors and served as its board chairman for several years. 

After the death of his first wife, Jim took his youngest children and moved to France for three years, continuing to work for IBM.  There he learned French, studied German, made lifelong friends, and travelled quite a bit before returning to IBM in the Research Triangle Park.  Upon retirement, Jim established a stump-grinding business - including work on the grounds of the NC Governor’s Mansion.  He loved travelling, both land trips and cruising, as well as countless trips to Sunset Beach, NC.  He turned to woodworking in his backyard workshop, where he ran Santa’s Workshops for his grandchildren.  Always open to new adventures, Jim also built a chicken coop and kept chickens.  Among the books Jim read in his 90s were naval accounts and memoirs, which he discussed and shared with friends and family.

Jim was a man of profound strength, faith, and charismatic character whose life served as a blueprint for those around him.  He did not just lead by word, but by the quiet dignity and kindness he showed everyone he met.  More than just rearing children, Jim built a family foundation rooted in integrity and love.  He was affectionately known as “Pocca Merk”.  As a father, a husband, brother, uncle, grandparent, great-grandparent, neighbor, friend and faithful adviser, he was a constant inspiration and a pillar of strength.  His wisdom, love and impeccable morals showed others how to live a consequential life.  In his own special way, Jim brought people together forging unforgettable lifetime memories and fun interactions.  He held family in utmost importance as a primary value.  Today, his legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren, who carry his lessons of ethical conduct and sacrifice in their hearts every day.  A faithful servant and a reflection of God’s light, Jim embodied gentlemanly grace and a warmth that will continue to shape generations to come. 

Jim is survived by his wife of 37 years, Linda T.  Merkel; a brother, Gustave Merkel of East Moriches New York; and a sister, Julia A. Olsen of Wilmington, NC.  He is also survived by his nine children as follows: Jim (Vicki) Merkel of Alpharetta, GA; Bill (Sherry) Merkel of Durham, NC; Lyda (James) Stanford of Hillsborough, NC; Tom (Sue) Merkel of Dallas, TX; Peggy (Doug) Tempero of Plantation, FL; Kathy (Eric) Hinson of Chapel Hill, NC; Fred (Jackie) Merkel of Sandy Springs, GA; Bob (Ceci) Merkel of Hialeah, FL; and Hugh (Kathryn) Merkel of Chapel Hill, NC.  He is also survived by two step-sons: Dave (Sheryl) Thompson of Chapel Hill, NC and Ray Thompson of Chapel Hill, NC.  Jim is survived by 21 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. 

Jim had been a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church since 1972.  Visitation will be held in the Friends and Family Hall at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 940 Carmichael St., Chapel Hill on Thursday, March 26 from 5:00–8:00 pm ET.  The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on Friday, March 27 at 11:00 am ET.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to one of the following organizations or to a charity of your choice:

Sisters of the Divine Compassion (https://divinecompassion.org/support-us; 52 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603); or

the SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals (https://www.secufh.org 123 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517).

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Merkel family.