Obituary for Michael John Mercer

Michael John Mercer "Big Mike" 33, of Austin went to be with his Lord and Savior December 15, 2009.    He was born March 10, 1976, in Brownfield to Johnny and Janice Mercer. He moved with his parents to Hobbs, N.M., and then to Gardendale, Texas, a small community north of Odessa. He graduated from Permian High School with the Class of 1994.   He was a charter member of Gardendale Christian Fellowship Church.

Michael was blessed with a God-given talent, specializing in the music field as a sound engineer, stage manager and engineer of studio recordings. His many accomplishments in his short life included going on the road as sound engineer with "Terry Fator and Texas the Band" in 2001 - 2002. He joined "Asleep at the Wheel" from 2002 - 2008 as stage manager. He ran sound and equipment for more than 700 performances. His most notable performances included 2004 Presidential Inaugural, The Bob Wills Musical at the Kennedy Center for President and Mrs. Bush, Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel's "Willie and the Wheel" Tour and The Grand Ole Opry.

He engineered studio recordings for Asleep at the Wheel CD releases "Live at Billy Bob's Texas," "Reinventing the Wheel" and "Santa Loves to Boogie."

Mike most recently worked as Operations Manager of Big House Sound in Austin and was an inspiration to their audio engineers.

Most recently, he oversaw the event held for the Ft. Hood tragedy in which the President of the United States spoke.

Mike had the privilege to work with many famous music artists, shake hands with four United States Presidents, serve on the board of directors for the Texas Country Music Association and voting membership in the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys). Mike's love for music and sound production was completely evident in his work and his impact in the music world will always be remembered.

Michael's dream was to travel and he lived his life to the fullest by visiting 48 states, Canada, islands of the Carribean and many countries in Europe. Not only did Mike get to see the world, but he got paid to live his dream of travel!

Michael is survived by his parents, grandmother Oleta Burris of Wellman and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by grandparents Lute and Avis Mercer and W.O. "Bill" Burris.

Mike's life was celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 19, 2009, at Gardendale Christian Fellowship Church with Rev. Wade Welch officiating. Interment was at 3 p.m. at Terry County Memorial Cemetery in Brownfield.

The family received visitors Friday, December 18, 2009, at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to the Gideon's International, the American Heart Association or Gardendale Christian Fellowship Church. Online condolences may be made at www.frankwwilson.com.   Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.

Brownfield News