Merlin passed away on October 6 from a battle with cancer. He joined the love of his life, Betty Ann Lake, who passed away in 2007.

Merlin was born to Ammon and Hazel Lake on December 31, 1928 in St. George, Utah. They had a large family Merlin was one of 9 children. Sometime in the late 1930’s the family moved to Buttonwillow, California. It’s there that Merlin met Betty Ann Lake and they were married on December 23, 1948. They were married 59 years. Together they had three children David, Dana and Dennis.

They raised their family in Taft. Merlin worked for Standard Oil and Betty as a nurse. In 1972 they migrated north to Fieldbrook in Humboldt County. Merlin then went to work for Rich’s Well Drilling. During the summer Merlin would commercial salmon fish out of Trinidad Bay on his boat “Mandy.” In 1983 he sold his boat and started his own drilling business, Lake’s Well Drilling, and worked with his son Dennis until he retired in 1993.

Merlin was never one to sit around — he always stayed busy in his shop, yard and garden. Merlin had a passion for the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish. He would hunt all over California and out of state with his son Dennis, grandson Kyle and his brothers. Every summer his brothers George and Wilford would come to Humboldt and they would ocean fish for weeks. Merlin also really enjoyed fishing at Hat Creek by Mt. Lassen.

Merlin always had a story to tell. When his brothers would visit you would often hear the same stories and each summer the stories would get better and better.

Merlin is preceded in death by his parents Ammon and Hazel Lake, wife Betty Lake, daughter Dana Lake, all his brother and sisters except one.

Merlin is survived by his two sons, David Lake and Dennis Lake; his brother Darryl Lake; grandchildren Todd Lake, Amanda Reed, Janice Lucas, and Kyle Lake, and many great-grandchildren.

Merlin and Betty loved the little town of Fieldbrook they were a member of that small community for 50 years. The family would like to thank the Fieldbrook volunteer Fire Department for all the years of help they have given the family. There help was always appreciated and there kindness never went unnoticed.

There will be a celebration of life. December 29, 2022 at the Dow’s Prairie Grange Mckinleyville at 1 p.m.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Merlin Lake’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.