Carl Bufford Merida

   Carl Bufford Merida passed away peacefully at the Mountain View Nursing Home Pineville KY, early the morning of August 22nd 2023.
At the time of his passing he was 84 years old. Born in Barbourville Kentucky to the late Matt and Cleo Merida, Carl was one of 12 siblings in their home. Preceded in death are brothers, Elbert Merida, Glenn Merida, Alonzo Merida, and Jim Merida, sisters Nora Merida, Betty Jean Merida, and Edith Merida all of Barbourville Kentucky. Left to cherish Carl’s memory are his wife of 38 years Isabelle Merida Pineville KY, brothers Clint Merida of Hillsboro OH, Clyde Merida of Gray KY, Leeman (Faye) Merida, and sister Erma Lee Hutton all from Barbourville KY. Also surviving are his children Curtis Merida of Richardson TX, Keith Merida of Mason OH, and Vickie (Mike) Anderson Pineville KY. His grandchildren who he adored more than anything in life are Austin Merida, Carl Merida, both of Mason OH. Morgan (Jonny) Blount, Richmond KY, Stephen (Brittany) Anderson Pineville KY, and David Vanwinkle Richmond KY. 

   Being the member of a large family with young children Carl felt the need to leave home at the young age of 16 to find work to help his family. Like many before him Carl looked north to find employment and settled in Cincinnati OH where he found employment with the General Motors plant in Norwood. Carl was a model employee for GM, he retired with 30 years of employment time to his credit. During one stretch Carl worked 15 years without missing a single shift of work!! After his retirement from factory work, Carl fulfilled a life long dream to become a successful businessman. In the mid 1980’s Carl figured out that he had a knack for owning and operating night clubs in the Cincinnati area. The Merida name was synonymous with the neighborhood night life. Another proud accomplishment was Carl becoming a 32nd Degree Master Mason. 

   Carl decided that his working days & nights were over and sold his businesses and he and Isabelle moved back to where they both felt at home in South east Kentucky this time they split the difference and settled in Bell County, just north of Pineville. If you asked anyone who knew Carl at all they would tell you that he is the most giving man that they have ever met. He always had a soft spot for anyone who asked for help, and sometimes he knew it without ever being asked. He loved a good conversation it really didn’t matter what the topic was it was just him enjoying the things he learned by talking and listening to other people. One of Carl’s biggest interests were his love of sports, the Cincinnati Reds, and the University of Kentucky Wildcats, football and basketball were his prime focus, but he really loved Thoroughbred horse racing. He spent many hours studying the blood lines of these equine champions to gain an edge in picking the winners. 

   Visitation will be 1:00 pm -2:00 pm Saturday August 26, 2023 in the Chapel of Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home, 114 South 3rd Street Harlan KY 40831. Graveside services will be at 2:30 pm at  the Charlie Smith Cemetery in Smith KY with Rev. Spencer Burkhart officiating.

  Please feel free to leave a condolence or memory at www.aljfh.com

  Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Carl B. Merida.