ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY: Thank you for all the flowers and well wishes during this time. - Jackie Meritt

Bobby Joe Meritt passed away at the age of 85 on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at his home on the Meritt Buffalo Bois D'arc Ranch in Denton, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Meritt; his parents; O.B. and Gail Meritt; and his sisters Vivian Hoffman and Helen McNutt. He is survived by his beloved wife of 14 years, Jackie Meritt; his sons Xernie Meritt and John McGee; his daughters Vaunda Chapman, Gayla Meritt, Sandra Arce, Rebecca Meritt, Joveda Meritt, and Carrie Meritt; five grandchildren that he raised as his own, Shadow Meritt, Christopher Palkovicks, Timothy Meritt, Bianca Palkovicks, and Michelle Tye; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great- grandchild.



Bobby Joe, or Buffalo Bob as he was known, was born eight miles north of Kiowa, Oklahoma in a plum thicket in Harper's Valley. He thrived in the construction industry for over fifty years, overseeing the construction of many well-known buildings, including the Fort Worth Tandy Center, the Fort Worth National Bank Building, the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, and Bridgepoint Condominiums on South Padre Island, Texas. He owned and operated Meritt Construction for ten years until together with his wife, Jackie, he followed God's direction to develop the Buffalo Valley Event Center, which has become one of Denton's most notable landmarks. United through their faith in God, Buffalo Bob and Jackie built and operated the Buffalo Event Center, an unforgettable venue, hotel, and RV park which showcases another of Buffalo Bob's passions, the American Bison.