Raymond (“Ray”) L. Merritt, 82, computer programmer and President of Raymer Systems Group, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 26, 2025.

He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on March 20, 1942, the son of Raymond P. and Taletta Harp Merritt.

Raymond graduated from Mabelvale High School in 1960 but always regretted that he and his long-time classmates were not able to graduate together at Hall High School, which was then-closed due to the Little Rock integration crisis. He remained in touch with his Hall High classmates and “The Class That Wasn’t” still has regular class reunions.

After graduating high school, Raymond served as a radarman in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS WASP aircraft carrier. It was there he discovered his passion for computers, and he began to search for available education to learn more during the advent of computer technology. He went to both Arkansas State Teachers College (Conway) and the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), but his computer programming skills were primarily self-taught due to the lack of formal education available for this new discipline. He ultimately founded his own company, Raymer Systems Group, and was heavily involved in several multi-year technology projects at major banks in Little Rock, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Baton Rouge, and Richmond, Virginia.

Raymond was always supportive of his wife’s career, and when she had a promotion opportunity in 1996, they moved to Tallahassee. They intended to only stay a few years but liked it so much, they never left. They enjoyed a full and happy life spending weekends at their beach cottage at Cape San Blas, taking dancing lessons, joining a classic car club, going on cruises and other vacations with friends, and attending sports, theater, and concerts at Florida State University. After retirement, Raymond was the volunteer webmaster for several non-profit websites, including at Hall High School and Mabelvale High School.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Dr. Jerry Gragg, DDS. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rhonda Poe Merritt of Tallahassee, Florida; sister Linda Steele Graham of Fayetteville, Arkansas; nieces Michele Steele (Joey Kerr) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Lindsey Dorrough of Columbus, Ohio; nephews Bradley Dorrough of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Gray Winters of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Shannon, Justin (Samantha Stirn), and Jeremy Gragg (Katrina Kuyper) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; great-nieces and great-nephew Nicola, Aubrielle, Jaylah, and Alexander; and his honorary nieces and nephew Sydney, Summer, and Jordan. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Connie Gragg of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Peggy Poe of Hot Springs, Arkansas, as well as numerous cousins and close friends.

In keeping with his wishes, no formal services are planned. He will be interred with military honors in the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas, later in the Spring.

If desired, suggested memorial contributions may be made to America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Tallahassee (www.fightinghunger.org), or Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation, an organization who buys and donates land to the Fayetteville National Cemetery for future expansion (www.rncic.org).