Leslie J. Merrell

In Loving Memory of Les Merrell

Leslie was born on April 21, 1951 in port Arthur Texas.
He was born to Edward Louis Merrell and Myrtle Merrell. He was the 3rd born of 5 siblings…. Eddie, Janice, Mark and Phyllis.
At the age of 3, they moved to California where he would spend the rest of his life.

As a young boy, Les developed a aspiration for sports, with football emerging as one of his enduring passions. During his high school years, Les found his calling, excelling as a fierce competitor, earning recognition as a tri athlete. His athletic prowess extended to football, wrestling and track and lettered in all 3 sports. His unwavering dedication was rewarded with the prestigious “Hatchet Man" award in football, one of the highest honors attainable at magnolia high school.  He also served as the captain of the football team, and together with his teammates, where regularly in the news, coined and known as the “11 Angry Men”. They celebrated their defense’s exceptional achievement of going unscored on throughout their senior year - a new record in Magnolia High history that remains unmatched to this day.

After graduating, Les and his high school sweetheart, Linda Gregory were married. Together, they were blessed with five beautiful children Joshua, Jared, Jeremy, Jason and his daughter Jennifer. Les was also blessed with 12 grandchildren, who he cherished beyond measure. Jaden, Kyler, chase , Blake, Gage, Cameron, Jagger, Mason, Riley, Nixon, Ella and Lincoln. Les’s love for his family knew no bounds, and each child and grandchild held a special place in his heart. 

Professionally, Les was a seasoned general contractor, consistantly delivering masterful craftsmanship across all his projects. While his expertise shone brightly in commercial endeavors, such as constructing schools, correctional facilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, his true passion resided in crafting extraordinary homes and projects for both his family and clients. At the remarkable age of 23, he meticulously handcrafted a stunning, beautiful residence for his own family in Anaheim Hills. Construction wasn't merely a vocation for him; it evolved into his life's abiding passion, enabling him to etch an enduring legacy through the creation of stunning homes and projects for his children and clients that showcased his exceptional talents, transcending the realm of work alone. Beyond his work, Les was also a gifted cook, a passion he nurtured from his youth when dreams of becoming a chef filled his heart. Family and friends savored each me he hand crafted.

Les's profound affection for the great outdoors manifested in his enthusiasm for activities such as fishing, hunting, traveling to the mountains, lakes, and even adventures in Mexico. He eagerly shared these experiences with his Family, forging cherished memories and bonds that would endure a lifetime and resonate for generations. Les was their most ardent supporter, never missing from any of his children’s or grandchildren’s games, races, birthday’s or family events.

Though Les MERRELL may no longer be with us in person, his love, his laughter and his spirit will forever reside in the hearts of those whose lives he touched, he will be terribly missed, but never forgotten.

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