TORRINGTON – Gregg Mercer passed away Dec. 4, 2017, at the Banner Health Community Hospital in Torrington. Gregg was 69 years old.
He was born Dec. 22, 1947, the first-born son of Thayne and Irene (Miller) Mercer, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney Neb. At that time, the family was living in Gibbon Neb., 13 miles east of Kearney.
Gregg attended Gibbon public schools until the age of 12, when the family moved to Kearney where Gregg resumed his schooling and graduated Kearney High School in 1966. He wasted no time in signing up for the United States Navy.
Gregg was in the Navy for four years, with three tours in Vietnam. The first was aboard the USS Princeton (LPH-5). In later tours, Gregg was part of the Brown Water Navy of Vietnam where he was an engineman on a PBR (Patrol Boat, River), part of River Division 555, Delta Devils. Gregg earned his “black Beret” in Vietnam at a time (as he said) when it still meant something.
After his discharge,e Gregg settled back in Kearney for a time. Having tried college, he decided a more hands-on career was more to his liking and moved to Kansas and then Colorado, where he sought employment in his desired field.
Not to be satisfied with farming or factory work, he sought out and found a homestead in Missouri where he farmed, raised sheep, turkeys, pigs and generally – went back to nature. Gregg was happiest when he was “in the sticks” and doing his own thing.
After Missouri, Gregg moved to Prescott Ariz., where he bought a small place on the out skirts of town. Gregg invited his widowed mother to join him in Prescott. Not being a fan of “too many people,” Gregg left booming Prescott for the Torrington area. In his latter years, Gregg came to Christ through a private Bible study in his home with other like-minded friends and faced his health challenges with courage and peace.
Gregg did not have any children and is survived by his younger brother Doug and wife Diane, also of Torrington.
Memorials may be sent to Waggin’ Tails Animal Shelter, 436 East 22nd Ave, Torrington WY 82240.
