Kristopher Merchant
Passed: June 12, 2021
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Kristopher Merchant
Passed: June 12, 2021
Obituary
On Saturday, June 12, 2021, Kristopher Merchant, loving son, identical twin brother and the elder of 6 siblings, left us far too soon. He was 34 years old.
Kristopher was born on September 23rd, 1986, in Phoenix, Arizona to Nick and Lauren (Gilmore) Merchant.
After graduating from Dobson Highschool in 2005, Kris enlisted in the US Air Force, where he served honorably as a medical technician. He was a volunteer Firefighter for the 3 years was stationed at Hurlburt Field in Florida. He continued his career development by studying the emergency medical services field further as a civilian. Kristopher graduated from Fortis College in Phoenix during July of 2013. Soon thereafter he began his career as a trained paramedic.
Kris had a passion for helping others and becoming the best version of himself possible. This was easy to see in his career choice; He started as a technician in the Air Force, elevated his skills to paramedic status as a civilian, and was poised to round-out his education & career development by achieving his BS in Nursing.
Kristopher’s hobbies included flying gliders, listening to heavy-metal music, attending live-concerts, drawing, watching movies & absorbing as much military history and black history as he could; Kris fostered an insatiable interest in the Tuskegee Airmen.
Above all, Kristopher was known as a man with a Christian heart of gold who knew how to love & appreciate others, even sacrificing his own wants & needs for the benefit of others when Kris felt the situation called for it. Kris was just a “stand-up” kinda guy, without fear of anyone. Kris abhorred injustice, so he defended the weak & defenseless however he could.
Kris was self-driven to do things the “right way”. His self-discipline was admirable, evident in his devotion to actually achieving any goals he set for himself not just dreaming about them.
Most important, his reputation glistened in the sight of his joyful, kind-hearted nature, his reliability, accountability, humility and integrity.
Kris was never married nor fathered any children. However, he is survived by his mother Lauren, stepmother Andrea, father Nick, siblings Craig, Adrienne, Alyx, Leif & Joshua, Paternal Grandparents, Grandmother, Francis E Merchant and Grandfather, Nickey E Merchant Sr and host of Aunts, Uncles and cousins.
You can view at slideshow about Kristopher by using this link: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/M3R427CLJDY9H8JT
7 responses to Kristopher Merchant
Terri Kelly says:
June 17, 2021
My deepest condolences to the family. May God be with you during this difficult time.
Lori Garcia says:
June 21, 2021
Kris had a sweet soul and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and Prayers go out to the entire family.
RIP Kris.
Shae Freeman says:
June 22, 2021
To Kris,
I am beyong honored to have been able to share the past 10 years as your friend, and sister in our “little” EMS world. You always had a passion for advocacy and speaking up for what’s right in a way that many people are just too afraid to do. You were never ashamed to express your beliefs, and when challenged, you still spoke with such poise and maturity…..which lacks greatly around us today as you know. I will miss our many conversations about life, and I am terribly heartbroken that we will not be able to witness you progress in your career as we had just very recently talked about. You will always hold a special place in my heart friend, I will miss you forever.
Thank you for the friendship and Memories, Medic Merchant <3
anonymous says:
July 28, 2021
I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Kris’ passing. Growing up just about every year we shared a class at Cartwright Elementary. I remember Kris as the quietest and sweetest kid, attended each other’s birthday partie
Christi Kirkendoll says:
July 28, 2021
I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Kris’ passing. Growing up just about every year we shared a class at Cartwright Elementary. I remember Kris as the most quiet and sweetest kid, attended each other’s birthday parties, and artist. Although it has been many years since I have been able to share time and space with him I have never forgotten about him. My prayers are with his family especially his twin Craig whom I also shared memories with from elementary.