David M. Merrill: Mormon Artist

David M. Merrill was an American artist and art teacher. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Merrill received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in art from Brigham Young University in 1935 and 1936 respectively. The BYU Emeritus Club honored him in 1986.

He taught art at Davis High School in Utah and was an art supervisor of Davis County schools. He was a high school counselor, state office of rehabilitation counselor, sales manager, and a manufacturer’s representative in a company he founded in 1975.

He operated an art gallery for several years and spent the last thirty years of his life as a painter. He won numerous awards. His work was exhibited in the Springville National Invitational Art Show, the Deseret News Annual Art Show, and many other exhibits throughout the state. Some of his paintings hang in the Museum of Church History and Art of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Merrill was born on August 12, 1912, and lived in Farmington, Utah, since 1942. He married Leola Green Merrill on June 11, 1936. They were parents to four children, including filmmaker Kieth Merrill. David Merrill died on July 6, 1997.