Ryan Lee Merrifield

Ryan Lee Merrifield

Ryan Lee Merrifield, 30, was suddenly taken from this world and went home to the hands of Jesus, on the evening of Jan. 3, 2020. He was in a loving home in Pupukea, Oahu, Hawaii, and died from an aortic dissection.

Ryan was born Aug. 27, 1989 to parents Lon and Donna Merrifield in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. He was born on the property and was the youngest of six children and the third generation to live on the family farm at the base of Clifty Mountain. As a young boy he led a joyful country life on the farm at Clifty View Nursery.

Ryan came to know the Lord at the early age of 10. He was a bold and passionate follower of Jesus. He proclaimed his faith and was baptized Aug. 13, 2000 in the Moyie River. In 2007, his love for Jesus led him to Italy, with a local youth group where he was able to share his faith in God and the “good news” with many people. Throughout life, his travels took him to many states, the British Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, and most recently to Scotland.

The family farm provided lots of work and play opportunities. As a child, Ryan enjoyed playing in the woods, riding his bike, 4-wheeling, hunting, and 4-H activities. He loved playing his drums and was always looking for new beats. Ryan was a quick learner and loved baseball from youth to adulthood. He worked hard at all he did and was proud of his accomplishments.

He graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 2008. After graduation he attended North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and received his Associate of Science degree in 2010. Then following in his dad and older brother’s footsteps he continued to pursue his education at the University of Idaho. Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Science Agriculture and Life Sciences, Major: Sustainable Crops and Landscaping-Environmental Horticulture Emphasis in 2015.

In 2011, work took Ryan east to boomtown Williston, N.D., where he was employed by his brother-in-law and sister at Diamond Development, LLC as a heavy equipment operator and adapted quickly to the construction business. He then worked for Razz Construction, Inc. reconstructing the Moyie River Bridge, Kettle Falls Bridge, and the bike path on the Hood River Canal Bridge from 2012-13. In the summer months, he returned to North Dakota and continued to work for family in the oilfield for Petrol Shield LLC.

Ryan joined the nursery full time in 2016, working all aspects, becoming an owner, and resided in Bonners Ferry till his death, living and working on the farm he had grown to love so much. Ryan had a passion for growing plants at Clifty View Nursery and working with those who shared the same passions. Ryan enjoyed working with people and always demonstrated good work ethics, long term steadiness, and stability throughout his career. His positive attitude was enjoyed by all.

Ryan loved adventure on the mountains, streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Those adventures were always shared with friends and family. Hunting, fishing, and hiking excursions were a way of being close to nature with the ones he loved most. He loved burritos, hot sauce, backyard barbecues, and cornhole tournaments.

One of Ryan’s greatest recent achieved dreams was when he snowboarded down the face of Clifty Mountain. He was an avid and skilled snowboarder on Schweitzer Mountain and had many adventures in the backcountry of the Pacific Northwest. He always had music beating in his heart.

He will be remembered for his kind heart, the twinkle in his eye, a genuine smile, an amazing sense of humor, unwavering faith and loyalty. Ryan shared his dreams, joy, laughter, and love with compassion and generosity with everyone he met. He was respectful, always wanting to show everyone his favorite spots and was everyone’s “Best Friend.” Ryan always saw God’s beauty in His creation and lived everyday on an adventure. Rylee, Ryno, RyRy you will be missed and not forgotten by all friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Earl (Bud) Merrifield, Dorice (Urban/Thompson), and Warren Bauman and maternal grandfather, Adrian Litalien.

He leaves behind his beloved girlfriend, Madison Creel and her daughter, Adaline. He is survived by his parents Lon and Donna Merrifield, five siblings, Crystal (Andy) Bliss, Heidi (Ron) Mendenhall, Amy (Derek) Gieschen, Kevin (Amanda) Merrifield, Holly (Justin) Scarborough; 20 nieces and nephews, Anna, Isaac and Jacob Bliss, Alexander and Grace Mendenhall, Alliah, Hailey (Steven) Sibley, Whitney and Dillon Gieschen, Adelynn, Gianna, Olivia and Everleigh Merrifield, Jordie, (Derek) Rudd, Easton, Bodee, Luke, Rocky, Deken and Riggin Scarborough; one great-nephew, Liam Rudd; and his maternal grandmother, Lois Litalien; along with aunts, uncles and many cousins that closely shared his life.

May your spirit soar like a “Bird in Paradise.” We will see you again one day and our love remains with you eternally. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelations 21:4

A Celebration of Ryan’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at the Becker Auditorium at Bonners Ferry High School.

Dinner and fellowship will be served at the Boundary County Fairgrounds for all following the service. Everyone is welcome. A private graveside burial will be held Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, where he will be laid to rest where he was born, in the Merrifield Family Plot, at the foothills of Clifty Mountain.