Merrick’s philanthropic efforts were hailed by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, who called Merrick “one of the chief architects of our city’s philanthropic infrastructure.”
“If there was a charitable endeavor positively impacting OKC, Frank likely had something to do with it,” Holt said. “We are diminished by his passing.”
Merrick’s work included serving as chair of the Memorial Hospital of Southern Oklahoma, the Ardmore Development Authority and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. He also served on the board of Palomar and chaired the Crossings Community Clinic.
Merrick explained his cousin, Ward Coe, had piqued his interest in helping the homeless, and that led to both Merrick and Noble joining various homeless-related boards, from the Jesus House to Positive Tomorrows, a school for homeless children.
They talked about why homelessness remained a stubborn challenge despite the efforts to expand shelters, missions and outreach programs.
Their lunch conversation turned to how, despite the shelters and missions and outreach programs, the problem could remain as unchanging as it was 20 years ago. Homelessness, he noted, was getting worse.
“There were a whole lot of agencies, especially a lot of little churches that wanted to give food away, but it wasn’t coordinated,” Merrick said. “Nobody was working together, so it just didn’t seem that anyone wanted to end homelessness. They were just enabling it.”
Merrick and Noble gave the first $40,000 to study Oklahoma City’s homeless problem and to seek a businesslike solution. That money was matched by other foundations, fact-finding trips were founded, and a consultant was hired to help draft a more comprehensive response that resulted in the creation of the Homeless Alliance.
Dan Straughan, United Way’s vice president of community investment during those early planning stages, served as director of the Homeless Alliance for 20 years before retiring earlier this year.
“Frank served as our board chair for our first eight years as an agency, leading us through the creation of our campus,” Straughan said. “He continued as one of our most consistent champions across the past 20 years. Frank has been an integral part of Oklahoma City for decades and has always been there to recognize the potential our city has to accomplish great things. He truly, deeply, profoundly loved our agency and the work we do, and we will miss him terribly.”
Services for Merrick are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Crossings Community Church, 14600 Portland Ave.
