A. Merle Sessions' Obituary
A. Merle Sessions, long-time San Bernardino resident and area attorney who practiced law for over 60 years, died December 29, 2012, at St. Bernardine’s Hospital after a brief illness at the age of 85. To his friends and colleagues, Merle was one of the city’s best-known and most
opinionated rascals, who loved raising orchid and exotic travel. He found his calling in the profession of law and settled in City of San Bernardino.
He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1927 and grew up in Bountiful. He was a great grandson of early Mormon pioneer Perrigine Sessions who helped settle Bountiful. After his father died when Merle was 12, Merle worked at the Bountiful Drug Store to help support his family. He served in the Navy during WWII, attended the University of Utah where he met his wife Marlyn Sessions, and earned both his bachelor’s degree (1949) and law degree (1951) from from Leland Stanford Junior University. In January 1952, Merle was admitted to the California and Utah Bars.
While in his third year in law school, Merle first established an inventory system based upon statistical analysis for a fledgling company working out of garage in Palo Alto. The company was Hewlett-Packard. Merle left the company to pursue his passion at Lonergan and Jordan in San Bernardino in 1953. He established his private practice in 1961, specializing in corporate and probate law. His expertise and commitment helped him set state precedent in probate law in the seminal California Supreme Court decision in the Estate of Leslie in 1984.
Merle served as a board member of the S.B Redevelopment Agency (1958-1967) and was active in numerous service organizations including the local Lions Club where he named “Man of the Year” in 1961. He was always proud of his association with the Orchid Society, as well.
Merle is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marlyn Sessions, two sisters, Carolyn Matthews and Martha Streeper, four children, Nanci Sessions Stacey, Joe Sessions, John Sessions, and Julie Forrest, daughter-in-law, Cindy Sessions, son-in-laws, Sherman Stacey and Billy Forrest, and 10 grandchildren, Jessi and Philip Mielke, Natili Ekker, Andrew Stacey, Marina Stacey, Sebastian Stacey, Deanna Sessions, Jackie Sessions, Isaac Forrest, and Pippin Forrest.
Donations in Merle’s memory may be made to your favorite charitable organization.
Condolences may be left on-line at www.bobbittchapel.com
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