Ryland S. Merkey

Ryland  Merkey
November 21, 2021

Ryland Samuel Merkey, 91- actor, director, teacher and enthusiast in American theater will be long and lovingly remembered by family and friends.  He passed away on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, WA

Born on April 22, 1930 in Pine Grove, he was a son of the late Milton and Sara Ryland Merkey.

He was raised in Pine Grove, learning and enjoying the culture and language of the area.  His introduction to music was the sound of a bugle, played by his late father, Milton, announcing the arrival of his butcher delivery truck.  Ryland continued his music with performances as a boy soprano in church choir and danced whenever any band played anywhere.  

Ryland was a 1947 graduate of Pine Grove High School and received the honor of Alumni of the year in 2003.

He attended the University of Pennsylvania on a full scholarship and continued performing in University musical and theater activities with the Men's Glee Club and The Mask and Wig Club, graduating with a degree in literature.  

After university, he served with the 2nd Armored Cavalry in Nuremburg, Germany, occasionally riding on the front end of a tank, always in a well-pressed uniform.  

He attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York on the GI bill and studied with Harold Clurman, performed in summer stock and acted at Circle Repertory, the New York Public Theater, Soho Rep and the York.  To support his theater habit, he taught at the Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire Dance Studios.  In 1959, he joined the Dallas Theater Center Repertory Company, attending the affiliated graduate schools of Baylor and Trinity University.  

As a member of the professional company, he played leads such as Azdak in Caucasian Chalk Circle, Harvey in Harvey, and leads or major roles in The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Journey to Jefferson, Cactus Flower, House of Blue Leaves, Anna Christie, Little Mary Sunshine and many others.  He directed Sly Fox, Vanities, Once in a Lifetime, and Equus, among others.  He taught acting classes in the DTC Academy and served as community liaison for the Theater Center.  On television, his fame spread as the educational series host of The American Adventure, and with his memorable Lone Star Beer commercials.  His theater experiences included studies in Germany and Greece, working with such notables as Harry Buchwitz and Takis Muzenidis.  Besides the Theater Center work, Merkey performed at the Dallas Shakespeare Festival, Houston Shakespeare Festival, New Art Theater in Dallas, The Alliance in Atlanta, Horse Cave Theater in Kentucky, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Tacoma Actor's Guild, Denver Center Theater, Seattle Repertory Theater and Printer's Devils' Theater.  

He was a member of the Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA.  Ryland had a strong and continuing interest in the visual arts, particularly in primitive art and artists.  He was a happy and appreciative resident of Seattle and its art scene since 1994,  Friends from theaters all over the United States will remember Ryland for his work and with love and laughter for the good times.

Preceding him in death were two brothers, Gene Merkey and Sterling Merkey; a sister, Zita Brown; and a nephew, Reed Koenig.

Surviving are a sister, Shirley Koenig of Pine Grove; a nephew, Gerald Merkey of Los Alamos, NM; four nieces, Kathy Sipe and Joan Quadrini, both of Harrisburg, Kim Schroeder of Barnesville, and Kris Brown-Coleman of Bethesda, MD;  great nieces and nephews.

Graveside services and interment will be held at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of gifts, flowers or ceremony, support your local live theater and raise a glass to his memory.

The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., has charge of local arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com

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