Merlin Ragas Sr. (Big Mert) passed on from this life on October 14, 2020 in Texas. He was born on August 19, 1948 in Port Sulphur, Louisiana to the late Edward Ragas Sr. and Luella Sias Ragas. Merlin spent his entire childhood in Port Sulphur and graduated from Sunrise High in 1968. Several years after becoming a father, he and his wife moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he spent the majority of his adult life caring for her and their 3 children. Big Mert later moved to Colorado Springs in 1996 before moving to Texas in 2013. Merlin was proceeded in death by Mr. Abner and Mrs. Leola Bean; brothers: Oscar (Ratte) Williamson, Wilbert (dog man) and Melvin Ragas; brother-in- laws: Abner Jr. and Alvin (Yama) Bean; son-in-law: Richard Leonard Crowley; and sister-in-law: Gail Ragas. He leaves behind his beautiful wife of 52 years, Patricia Ann Bean Ragas; his children: Merlin Ragas Jr, Nanetta Ragas- Crowley, and Othello Ragas; 8 grandchildren: Twanette, Brittany, Tarrell, Brian, Nardia, Kalaia, Zariah, and Kaliana; 8 great-grandchildren: Carlos, Cerenity, Larissa, Clarissa, Wynn, Tya’Briel, Ariel, and Kyrie; 2 brothers: Edward (Brock) Ragas Jr. and Roy Ragas; 6 sister-in-law’s: Valda, Paula, Melvina, Cheryl, Bernadine, and Marion; 7 brother-in-law’s: Gary, Jerry, Chris, Allen, Phillip, Alvin, and Curtis; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and countless friends. Mert was a fun loving, hardworking, devoted husband, father, brother-in- law and friend. He was a child of God and surrendered his life many years ago to Him in-order to find peace within himself. He wore many hats in his lifetime and his loving, caring, witty, kind and giving spirit was accepted by many. He touched the hearts of all he knew with his no-nonsense approach on life, and he never shied away from telling the truth, even if it hurt your feelings. Big Mert lived his life to the fullest and he never put off what needed to be done, he was always active and on the move. Even after becoming ill he was still determined to continue to work, and nothing or no one could stop him. One of his greatest joys in life came from being able to help others, spending time with family and watching wrestling 7 days a week in any language. When he watched his wrestling, no one could talk to him when they were in the ring. Yes, your soul has gone on, but the memories we have with you on earth will last forever. We’re going to miss you, Big Fella. Rest on! We love you dearly, Mert!