Lawsuit filed in death of retired AL umpire

[TexasStooge]

By Max B. Baker, Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Durwood Merrill was known for his big heart.

Although major-league sluggers respected the tough calls the former American League umpire made on the field, the 64-year-old Merrill also touched the lives of countless children in East Texas through his special Christmas charity.

In 1995, Gov. George W. Bush honored Merrill by wearing his jacket and number when he threw out the first pitch at the All-Star Game at The Ballpark in Arlington.

So when Merrill died Jan. 11 after suffering a heart attack -- six days after being checked into a hospital with what doctors initially said was either a viral infection or a "bad flu" -- his family and the community were shocked.