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