James D. Merritt

James DeSean Merritt, lovingly referred to as Sean, 54, departed this life on November 30, 2024, at his home in Kansas City, Missouri.  He was born on October 15, 1970, in Kansas City, Missouri to James Merritt and Saundra Zalzala.

He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from Ruskin High School. He began working for DeLaSalle Education Center as a counselor, where he worked for 20 years. During his tenure at DeLaSalle, he also worked as the Vice Principal.  He reached so many children and was well respected by his peers.  After leaving DeLaSalle, he worked at the Juvenile Detention Center and retired from there.

Sean was baptized at an early age at Friendship Baptist Church. Later, he went to Jamison Memorial Temple C.M.E Church.  He was a loving son, who had the utmost respect for his mother.  They would often talk and laugh through the night on the phone.  He was a wonderful father to his son, DeSean Merritt, and taught his Christian values. He was very much family oriented and held a close relationship with all his siblings and relatives.  Sean also held the elderly in high regard and loved helping them whenever it was needed.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Merritt, grandmothers, Mildred Merritt and Lillie Lacy, uncles, Earnest Merritt, Walter Merritt, Sr., and Lewis Merritt, Sr., and his cousin, Lewis Merritt, Jr.

Sean leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Saundra Zalzala, son, DeSean Merritt, brothers, Sidrah Zalzala, Jameel Merrit, Paul Meadows, and Anthwan Tolfree, sisters, Somalia Zalzala, Syreeta Zalzala, and Rashida Merritt, nieces, Amiyah Lynn-Zalzala, Aminah Lynn-Zalzala, and Aubrey Zalzala, aunts, Beatrice, Renee, and Joana Merritt, and a host of cousins and friends.