Reid Merchant Memorial Fund

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Obituary
Reid came into this world December 7, 1983, with the biggest blue eyes and longest eyelashes ever. He was a quiet baby who grew into a quiet man, but he had a lot to say when he did talk and he could be pretty funny. Reid was an incredible son, brother, husband, dad, uncle and friend. He passed away June 24, 2021, in a tragic pool accident. To know “Reider” was to love Reider.

Reid attended Boerne Schools his entire life and graduated from Boerne High School in 2002. He received an Associate’s Degree in Diesel Mechanics & Chassis Fabrication from WyoTech in Laramie, WY in 2003. Reid participated in youth baseball and rodeo, and he was an avid drummer from age 3. He also played adult softball. He loved the Kendall County stock shows, showing chickens there, and even won Grand Champion one year. He also worked the bucking chutes during San Antonio Rodeo for several years. He loved Berges Fest and The Kendall County Fair, and you could always find him at the fence line watching the rodeo every year. He probably rode a million miles on his bike all over Boerne during the summers of his youth. He spent many summers jumping off the dam into Cibolo creek.

Without a doubt, Katie was the love of his life. They celebrated their marriage last year after 9 years of dating. Their son, JW, was his world and he was so excited about his baby boy on the way. Reid worked at Holt Caterpillar in San Antonio where he was employed for 18 years. He started in the radiator shop and worked his way up to field service where his heart was.

Reider whole-heartedly loved his family and friends. He loved Boerne and often joked that it was Gone Forever, like an old-timer would. Reid loved to saltwater fish, hunt, and cook including BBQ Cookoffs. He was a hell of a storyteller. He loved NASCAR and the PBR. He enjoyed being at the coast and hanging out on the beach. He loved listening to the scanner. He was always working on something around the house, just being outside. He enjoyed a good concert and had such an eclectic taste in music. Reid was always willing to step in and help whenever anyone called. He was always happy, even after a long hard day at work.

Reid was preceded in death by his father, William Richard Merchant; grandfather, Frank Edward Penwell; and grandparents, William A. and Vera Merchant.

Reid is survived by his wife, Katie Kezar Merchant; sons, JW Merchant and Baby Boy #2 coming in August; his mother, Robyn Merchant McGarr; stepdad, Rick McGarr; sister, Reagan Harris and husband Bryant, his coon-yow; nieces, Presley and Collins Harris; his Mamaw, Mary Ellen Penwell; in-laws, Jimmy and Carolyn Kezar and Zach and Laura Kezar; as well as two aunts, one uncle, a niece, a nephew, numerous cousins and many, many friends.

A Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 29, 2021, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home. The Funeral will be Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Boerne. Reid will be buried in a private ceremony at the Boerne Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-reid-merchant. To leave condolences for the family and to view a video of Reid’s life, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com.


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Reid Merchant is a man of few words and a million smiles. He is a dedicated and devoted father, husband, son, and brother among many other things. On Father’s Day 2021, Reid was involved in an accident at a private pool in Blanco, TX. His wife, Katie, who is an RN stepped in to perform life saving measures. EMS was able to take over and  get him air lifted to a hospital in Kyle where he was eventually transferred to Austin, where he remains in ICU.  We don’t know if he will wake up or how extensive the damage is at this point. However, we do know that he is in critical shape and we are fervently praying for a miracle.

Reid and Katie are
expecting their second child in August - another baby boy. We would like to help them financially through this traumatic time. If you cannot contribute financially please continue to keep Reid and his precious family in your thoughts and prayers.