December 31, 1941 — October 24, 2025 (age 83)

Merlyn Ray Poppleton, 83, passed away on October 24, 2025. Born on New Year’s Eve, 1941, in Joplin, Missouri, Merlyn’s arrival was marked by the restless movement of a family navigating the uncertainties of war. His father, Frances (Frank) Poppleton, was called to serve in the Navy, and his mother, Vida Mae, gave birth to Merlyn before the family settled in Los Angeles, California.

Raised alongside his older brother Max, Merlyn’s childhood was a lively tapestry of adventure, mischief, and hard-earned lessons. Whether it was riding buses through L.A., playing roller-skate games in the neighborhood, or surviving questionable family meals, Merlyn approached life’s challenges with humor and resilience. He often joked about being a sidekick instea

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