Merrill Gappmayer
January 28, 1942 – September 24, 2026

Merrill Gappmayer was born on January 28, 1942, in Provo, Utah, to Roy Henry and Florence Billings Gappmayer. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in Orem, Utah. He graduated from Orem High School in 1960.

In June 1960, Merrill enlisted in the United States Army. He later served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern California, beginning a lifetime of faith and service.

He attended Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Science, and later in life, an MBA. During this time, he met Marie Healy, the love of his life. They quickly fell in love and were married on January 29, 1965, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Merrill spent much of his childhood and young adult life working on the family farm with his father. After college, he taught junior high school for three years before moving into homebuilding and land development. He was a brilliant businessman with an exceptional work ethic. In business, as in every part of his life, Merrill was a man of integrity. His word could be trusted, and he believed in working hard and doing things the right way.

Merrill was generous and fiercely loyal. When he cared about someone, he stood by them. He gave freely of his time, knowledge, resources, and energy, and he was someone people knew they could count on.

Service was one of the defining qualities of Merrill’s life.

He served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life, including as a Bishop, Stake President, MTC Branch President, and in many other callings. He cared deeply about the people he served and took each responsibility seriously.

He gave 43 years of service to Intermountain Health, including five years as Chairman of the Board. He was also a member of the board of the American Hospital Association. He was involved in the Scouting program and the Kiwanis Club, along with many other community activities and organizations.

Merrill was recognized for his community contributions with the Arthur V. Watkins Outstanding Citizen Award for Orem City in 1993. The honor was especially meaningful because his father had also received it. Merrill loved and respected his father deeply and was proud to share this distinction with him.

Service was not something Merrill did only when he had an official responsibility. It was simply who he was. He always showed up when someone needed him. He never drove past a person on the side of the road who needed help, and he never ignored a neighbor who was struggling. If there was a problem, Merrill wanted to help fix it. If someone needed a hand, he gave it.

His approach to life was straightforward. When faced with a problem, his solution was often:

“Get to Work.”

Merrill believed in getting started, doing what needed to be done, and seeing it through. He lived that way every day.

Merrill had a lifelong love of horses. He enjoyed breeding, training, and riding them, and spent many happy hours around them.

He also loved to travel. He visited all seven continents and enjoyed seeing new places and experiencing different cultures. But what he valued most was sharing those experiences with his family and wonderful friends. The trips and adventures became some of his favorite memories.

We could write a book about Merrill's accomplishments and accolades, his years of service, his generosity, his talents, and his many interests. But those who knew him best know that his greatest accomplishment, and the thing he was most proud of, was his family.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marie Healy Gappmayer; his children Kurt Gappmayer, Reed Gappmayer, John Gappmayer (Rebekah), Malissa Hunter (Travis), Emily Rowley, Christian Gappmayer (Erin), Erin Shelley (Corey), and Aleksa Porter; 31 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and his beloved brother, Richard Gappmayer (Anne).

He was preceded in death by his oldest son David Gappmayer (Kathleen), his parents, his sister Beatrice Pyne, and his brothers Leland Gappmayer and Louis Gappmayer.

Merrill leaves behind a life marked by faith, family, hard work, integrity, loyalty, generosity, service, adventure, and friendship. His influence will live on through the many people who dearly love him.

Merrill passed away on September 24, 2026. He was 84 years old.

A viewing will be held Friday, October 2 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem.

A second viewing will be held Saturday, October 3 from 9:00–10:30 a.m. at 970 North 400 East, Mapleton, followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m.

Following the services, Merrill will be laid to rest at Orem City Cemetery.

He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

We want to thank our friends at Aspen Senior Care, Ashford of Springville, and First Choice Hospice for their compassionate care of Merrill over the last few months.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor Merrill in the way he would appreciate most, find someone to serve. Love your neighbor. Make a difference in your community.

And, as Merrill would say: “Get to Work.”