Dr. James Tyler Merchant, 36, of Lee’s Summit, MO, formerly of Marshall, MO, died Saturday, October 29, 2022, in North Dakota.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall with Rev. Randall DeMasters and William W. Harlow officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Lily’s Hope Foundation and an online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Born December 25, 1985, in Marshall, he was the son of James D. Merchant, who survives of Marshall, and Deborah Jolliff Krumsiek of Laurie, MO. Tyler was raised in Marshall and was a 2004 graduate of Marshall High School. Tyler attended Washington University in St. Louis and then earned his Doctor of Osteopathic degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. His residency in family medicine was done at the University of Wyoming and he then went on to the University of Washington-Tacoma where he served in the rural medicine with high risk and surgical obstetrics fellowship. Tyler returned to central Missouri in 2018 where he was a family physician at Missouri Valley Physicians (JCMG), Fitzgibbon Hospital and Bothwell Hospital, as well as being the executive director for Holistic Hope and owning Holistic Family Medicine and Obstetrics. In the last several years, Tyler has served as a Locum physician, being licensed in 12 states, using his skill and training to help rural areas. He was extremely proud of the fact that he delivered 461 babies. Just in the last week, a patient shared that “I fully believe things happen for a reason and Dr. Merchant was sent to save our premie twins lives and without him there that day we surely wouldn’t have had the outcome we did.” One of the things that set Tyler apart as a physician is that he took the time to get to know his patients and listen to their needs and concerns. He never wanted his patients to feel rushed or that their voice was not being heard. Tyler was a member of First Christian Church in Marshall as well as numerous medical organizations.
In addition to his parents, Jim Merchant (Lisa) of Marshall and Debbie Krumsiek of Laurie; his life partner, Nelda Simbulan of the home; two children, Alden Vincent Caldwell and Alexandra Gweneth Simbulan Merchant; three siblings: Ryan King (Katarzyna “Katie” Clifton) of Marshall, Whitney Holder (Jacob) of Laurie, and Bailee Merchant (Marty Brown) of rural Nelson; four aunts: Barbara “Bobbie” Robertson, Susan Jordan (Steven), Lori Blalock, and Jeana Wise (Josh); one uncle, Montie Mikle (Julie Gass); as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family; and his canine companions, Josie Mae and Lexie Marie.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, James P. and Gweneth E. Merchant; maternal grandparents; Howard and Margie Jolliff; uncles, Josiah “Joe” Robertson and Gary Rucker; and stepfather, Mike Krumsiek.