MERRIFIELD, George B., Jr., 85, of Louisville, passed away Monday, March 13, 2017.
In 1954 George co-founded Modern Industries Corporation, a railroad and signal manufacturing company. In 1959 he was a co-founder of United Industries Group, also a railroad connected company. Based on a handshake he entered into an agreement with TTX Company of Chicago, IL. and the CSX Railroad Company. George was co-founder of Custom Packaging. He was also the co-founder of a Road and Rail car repair service. George was a partner and co-founder of Telania, a computer management company. He was also a co-founder of Mid-America, a key investor in a railroad car leasing and storage. He also served as Treasurer of Right to Life and was a member of the Rotary Club and Knights of Columbus. He was also a partner in Caboose Express at Papa John’s Stadium.
In 1983 George and his wife, June established the St. Jude Foundation which has served to improve the lives of those in need for over 30 years. It is still in existence today. George and June donated to St. Vincent DePaul the St. Jude Women’s Recovery Center, the first halfway house in the state of Kentucky for women recovering from substance abuse.
In 1998 George received the Catholic Schools Distinguished Alumni Award and served on the board of School Choice Scholarships. He also sat on the board of Simmons College of Kentucky. In 2012 he received the Project Ontarian Distinguished Humanitarian Award, KY Governor’s Volunteer of the Year Award for his outstanding support of the community and his dedication to the cause of education. In 2015 he received the Community Engagement Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Louisville, presented by Dr. James Ramsey. George was also the recipient of the Bellarmine Accountant of the Year Award and was a member of their pioneer class in 1954. He, along with June received the African American Catholic Leadership Award. Together, they also received the Lyman T. Johnson Distinguished Leader Award.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George, Sr. and Agnes R. Merrifield; and sister, June Sievert.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, June Hopewell Merrifield; sons, Greg Merrifield (Beth) and Gary Merrfield; daughters, Donna Mudd (Jimmy) and Lisa Dean (Glenn); sister, Laverne Metzler; grandchildren, Jesse Mudd (Christy), Daniel Mudd (Megan), Jessica Kephart (John), Curt Merrifield, Avilyn Merrifield, and Chad and Eric Dean; and great-grandchildren, Ava Dean, Micah and Graham Kephart, Sadie Mudd, and Davis Mudd.
His funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2017 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 6500 St Bernadette Ave. with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Thursday at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd. and Friday from 9-10:30 a.m. for a sharing of memories at Highlands.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the St. Jude Women’s Recovery Center.
He had a giving heart for those in need, and gave to the many-some we will never know about-Goodbye, Pop!