Nick Mercado was born on February 21, 1930 and passed away on March 25, 2022. He left gently surrounded by loved ones at his home.

Nick moved to Humboldt County as a young man from Southern California. He held many jobs including working for the County Hospital, Simpson’s Timber Company, and Blue Lake Forest Products. Nick was a model employee: hard worker, easy to get along with, always punctual, and seldom missed work.

He loved riding his motorcycles and took many trips on his bike staying in rest areas for the night. One highlight of his life was when he finally acquired a 1967 Avanti. He liked challenging his mind with crossword puzzles. He wrote everything down and kept track of life’s events and activities. He was organized and took immaculate care of all of his belongings. He enjoyed watching action and horror films, westerns, tennis and the Sci-Fi channel. He was extremely talented and could craft almost anything and could repair just about everything. After being exposed to our local Native American culture, he made his wife and daughter miniature traditional houses for display. Nick was also a talented artist, once making a beautiful instrument that won first place in a competition. His beautiful hand carvings of faces and people are displayed throughout his home. Crafting was not his only talent. He enjoyed drawing and sketching, and he surprised us one evening by bringing out his guitar and playing it and even singing a little.

He met his wife, Delores Mercado in 1976 through a mutual friend, Pennie Evenson. She thought they would be good together and she was right. They married in 1980. Together they enjoyed traveling by motorcycle, special trips to Reno, and spending time with family and friends. When he married Delores, Nick gained a wife and a family. Delores’ family became his family and he attended their traditional ceremonies, weddings, birthdays, funerals, sports games and other family events. Nick had a special relationship with his daughters, and they knew he was always there for them whenever they needed anything. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren closest to him, called him Tata. Their eyes always shone when they saw him and gave him a great big hug!

Nick was preceded in death by his wife, Delores Mercado; his parents, Anthony and Margaret Mercado; his siblings, Tony Mercado, Russell Mercado, John Mercado, Betty Mercado-Alvarez; and his son by marriage, Deverous Frank.

Survivors include his children by marriage, Myra Fiore, Marlene Jarnaghan, Elizabeth Lara-O’Rourke and husband Greg, and Robbie Lara; his siblings, Sandra Mercado-O’Dell, Margarita “Babe” Mercado; his grandchildren, Michelle Bayer, Rachel Stamison, Kristina Fiore-Shinohara, Joanna Colegrove, Darin Jarnaghan, Joey Jarnaghan, Mini Robbins, Deverous Ray Frank, Lucinda Ottum, Lau-lei Lawrence, Michael Lawrence, Ernie Albers, Chu-cheesh O’Rourke, and Charlene Juan and 35 great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at the Trinidad Community Cemetery on Thursday, March 31 at 11 a.m.

Pallbearers will be: Greg O’Rourke, Walt Lara III, Ernie Albers Jr., Michael Lawrence, Everett “Bronc” Colegrove, Ernie Albers Sr.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Walter Lara Sr., Clyde Moon, George Moon, Richard Moon, Mike Orcutt, Kevin Orcutt, Darin Jarnaghan, Joey Jarnaghan, Deverous Ray Frank, Troy Super Sr., Darren Shinohara, Teh-sa’a:n-xwe Cooper

Services are being handled through Paul’s Chapel, Arcata.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Nick Mercado’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.