Merritt "Doc" Dixon Methvin

Merritt Dixon “Doc” Methvin of Rockdale, Texas and Follett, Texas passed away on April 30, 2021 at 94 years of age. He was born on March 29, 1927 in Centerpoint Texas, to Gordon Taldon and Clara Gertrude (Dixon) Methvin.

Doc volunteered for duty in the United States Army and entered into service on March 2, 1946 at C Pickett, VA as PFC Co. E 9th Infantry. He was a light mortar crewman 607 and qualified with the MMM-1 rifle. He received the Victory Medal and lapel button for Fur Mil Trng. He was honorably discharged on April 14, 1947 at Fort Lewis. WA.

On June 24, 1948 Merritt “Doc” married Juanita Mears and they were married for 65 years until her passing. Doc worked as a Labtech for Dow Chemical when God called him into the ministry in the Apostolic Faith movement. Never looking back, he resigned Dow Chemical and answered the call to be a minister. The Holy Spirit inspired Doc and Juanita to minister the gospel however they could. They started as gospel workers in a revival at Centerpoint, Texas then went into the ministry as Pastors of the Apostolic Faith Church in Snyder, Texas then Galena, Kansas; Laverne, Oklahoma; Follett, Texas and Rockdale, Texas as well as many Evangelistic services across the movement. Doc also served as the Superintendent of the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, Kansas for six years where they both also taught. Doc taught the Doctrine class there and was Editor of the Apostolic Faith Report with Brother Gail Schultz, working in youth camps, camp meetings, revivals and daily vacation Bible Schools. While pastoring, he helped build the camp ground in Baxter Springs and the church in Laverne. Doc was a prolific and inspired teacher of The Chart of the Ages. A spirit filled, spirit led preacher of the Apostolic Faith Doctrine. He loved the Lord with all his heart and loved people. He touched, mentored and inspired so many lives everywhere he went. He was outgoing, loved to laugh, joke and tease. He was a sportsman, loving the ministry first, but also loved hunting and fishing, and his birddogs. He loved and provided for his family, taught himself to paint and do finish work and was great at it. He used that as a way to reach people and was a strength and a blessing to everyone. You just couldn’t have a family reunion without Uncle Doc.

Everywhere they ministered they humbled themselves to the leading of the Spirit and God blessed tremendously with souls saved and lives changed. The churches grew in their 65 years of ministry.

After Juanita passed, Doc retired, but not from ministering. He started a prayer ministry and then ministered to staff and residents alike at Rockdale Estates. His smile and laugh were infectious. He could dish it out (a joke) as well as he could take it, but you very seldom could get one over on him.

Doc and Juanita were blessed with three sons: Duane Dixon, Barry Lynn and Ronald Otis. Doc was preceded in death by the love of his life his wife Juanita Mears Methvin, parents, two sons; Duane Methvin and Ronnie Methvin, four brothers, one sister and other family members of both sides of his marriage. He leaves as his survivors; a son Barry (Kathy) Methvin of Rockdale, Texas, daughters in law Marleese Methvin of Goodwell, Oklahoma and Judy Methvin of Guymon, Oklahoma. Grandchildren; Brooke (Nick) Tuttle, Kim (Troy) Hirt, Angie (fiancee’ Brandon Calk) Methvin, Luke (Jennifer) Methvin, Levi (Vanessa) Methvin, 14 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great Great Grandchildren; sisters in law; Roberta Methvin, Doris Mears, Helen McAllister and brother in law Keith McAllister, a bunch of nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends.