Richard Earl Merchant, 70, Clarksville, died Thursday, February 12, 2009, at his residence. A private service will be held. The remains are to be cremated. Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was born October 12, 1938 in Lansing, Michigan son of the late Raymond Merchant and Dorothy G. Coleson Merchant. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Chuarch. He was retired Army Vietnam veteran.. He was also a retired Civil Servant for the State of TN and last worked as a prison counselor at Riverbend. Survivors include his wife, Charlynn K. Kellogg Merchant, a son, David (Jinko) Merchant; a daughter, Diana Valles Merchant; a brother, Larry (Valerie) Merchant; two sisters, Elaine Gardner and Linda Merchant; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN. Online condolences can be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.