Floyd Carlin Mercer

With heavy hearts, yet immense peace, we regret to announce the passing of Floyd Carlin Mercer. Carlin passed away on July 20, 2022 at his home in Missoula, Montana with his family by his side surrounded by love. Carlin was born November 18, 1943 in Great Falls, Montana, to Mabelle Patterson Mercer and Floyd W. Mercer, the only child of two very proud parents. He cherished his childhood and the unconditional love of his parents. He grew up in Billings, Montana and enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing in the sugar beet fields of Eastern Montana surrounded by a big extended family who loved being together. He graduated from Billings West High School in 1962, and went on to college first in Montana, then on to Denver, Colorado. He earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics from Denver University. Upon graduation, he became employed by IBM in Denver, originally as a systems engineer and later as a salesperson and marketing manager. Carlin was married in 1971 to Dani Berry Mercer in Denver. They soon moved to Missoula, Montana living in Lolo, moving next to Colorado Springs, CO and then returning to the Pacific Northwest living in Spokane, WA continuing to work for IBM. They had two children, Zak in 1978 and Wendy in 1985. The marriage ended in 2000 and they remained good friends for the rest of Carlin's life. Carlin was very proud of his successful career with IBM and was the ideal employee in his starched white shirts and well fitting dark suites. He retired from IBM in 1995 and went on to become a financial advisor for Smith- Barney, first in Spokane and then opening an office in Missoula. He later transitioned to UBS Financial Services and remained with the company until retiring in 2016. Once Carlin retired, he began enjoying life in a new way. Taking up the game of pickle ball and becoming a snowbird over several winters in Palm Desert, CA with Carol, his partner of 18 years. They were so lucky to have one another, and shared a lasting and unique love story. Carlin had a full and wonderful life, spent doing some amazing activities. He spent much of his childhood with his cousin Eddie riding horses and hunting gophers along the Bighorn River as well as hunting and fishing. He was delighted to pass those joys on to his son, and eventually his grandson. Carlin was the definition of a Montana man through and through. He loved every second spent outdoors under that great, big sky. From hiking the most remote parts of the Bob Marshall and Selway Wilderness to fishing rivers and driving dusty back roads, he made it a point to explore as much of Montana as he could. He hunted in the Yukon, and traveled to Alaska and Hawaii. Carlin was an avid outdoorsman with a great love for all animals from the hummingbirds in his yard to the elk, moose, and deer he hunted with a bow. He spent the summer of 2015 as a program assistant at the Lamar Buffalo Ranch and the Fall of 2016 on Elk Patrol at Mammoth Hot Springs, both in Yellowstone National Park. His favorite place was anywhere in Montana especially the wide open spaces of the Eastern Montana plains. Carlin is survived by his significant other, Carol Buerman and her children Olivia and Chris; his former wife Dani Berry Mercer of Spokane, WA; his son Zak Mercer and his wife, Courtney Carroll Mercer, and their young children McCoy Wolfe and Alita Rose, of Missoula, MT; his daughter Wendy and her significant other RJ Shelby, of Coeur d’Alene, ID; along with several cousins throughout Montana, and countless friends and acquaintances he has made throughout the years. We would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who helped Carlin in his journey, particularly Home Health and Hospice of Montana, especially Tami and Jonathan. Our gratitude is heartfelt and we will never be able to repay you for your help and kindness. In remembrance of Carlin, the family encourages thoughtfulness, kindness and respect of others as Carlin exemplified to those who knew him. No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers or gifts, we ask for donations to the Five Valleys Audubon Foundation in Carlin's name.