Merlin Cecil Buser's Obituary
Merlin Cecil Buser was born May 1, 1946, in Oregon City, Oregon and passed away September 26, 2023, due to complications from an adrenalectomy. Merlin was born to parents Charles and Eldora Buser, the youngest of three boys. Merlin grew up in Milwaukie Oregon on his parents’ property off Clackamas Road. The boys were fortunate to have their own baseball field which was inviting for neighborhood kids to come and play ball.
Merlin grew up attending Clackamas Bible Church with his family; on August 3, 1958, at the age of 14 Merlin confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized. Merlin attended youth group and in recent years was still known to gather with some of those same “kids” catching up over dinner. Merlin continued to serve the Lord, most recently attending Tri-City Baptist Temple in Gladstone, Oregon just down the street from where he grew up. Merlin served as a Trusttee, Usher and perhaps most importantly as a Helper to the Teacher in the Sonshine Class picking up and dropping off the special needs individuals. His students were so fond of him, they shared how caring, funny, thoughtful, and kind Merlin was to them. That each week he would ask them how their week was, what they had been up to, would joke with them and show so much interest in their stories and well-being while riding on the bus to and from church with them. Merlin wasn’t known to have the gift of gab but when he was with the Sonshine class he was engaged, and some would say even chatty! When the class learned of Merlin’s passing, they were so sweet to share stories with the family about Merlin and a few exclaimed innocently, “Merlin will always be in my heart” – precious to know Merlin served in this ministry; Merlin loved the students as much as they loved him.
Merlin married his late wife Susan Richards, on May 23, 1969, in Lake Oswego Oregon. They were married for 36 years prior to Susan passing away in January 2006. Merlin and Sue built a life together, Sue designed their home in 1975 and Merlin built it. Merlin was an accomplished cabinet maker, his experience began at Arbunkle’s Cabinet Shop in Milwaukie Oregon, in the late 60’s. Merlin had a knack for woodworking, it required discipline, not a lot of talking, detail, and the freedom to be creative, all things that suited Merlin well. Merlin co-owned a cabinet shop in Mulino called House of Cabinets and later opened his own cabinet shop in Canby Oregon called Oregon Custom Cabinets. Merlin sold Oregon Custom Cabinets to a fellow employee Justin in 2016 and remained on staff consulting for a period. Justin and Merlin still spoke frequently, to coax Merlin into the shop Justin would catch a fish and let Merlin know it was waiting for him at the shop to come and pick it up! We asked Justin what he remembered about Merlin, he said, “Merlin took his job very seriously, he didn’t often take breaks – but when he did, he would come out of his office with a coffee cup in hand; spilling coffee everywhere while visiting with a few of the shop guys.” Merlin skillfully drew out the cabinet designs and room layout, as technology advanced, he couldn’t be bothered with having a computer get in the way of his notepad and pencil! He was precise and thoughtful in his selection of wood choice, stain, or paint, he had a great eye and was an excellent mentor.
Merlin and Sue were blessed with one child, a son, Luke. Luke was their pride and joy. Merlin and Sue were such supportive parents and encouraged Luke in all his endeavors. Merlin was particularly fond of Lukes art, attending all his art shows, making a quick pit stop, never staying too long, not saying too much; but always making an appearance. Merlin’s walls were covered with Luke’s art, proudly displayed, and carefully curated placing each one precisely to play off the next. Luke and Merlin shared the love of music. Merlin loved jazz music, he would go to various record stores, estates sales and garage sales collecting records and playing music in his home. Merlin and Luke often spent time dining out, accompanied by Luke’s partner Kari – the perfect match for the two quieter men, she would keep the conversation going and always managed to snap a photo of Merlin and Luke at the end of their gathering. Many of those photos included a wide grin! Merlin adored Kari – she had a way of coaxing Merlin to go along with her desire to document their time together. Those photos now are priceless memories of their time spent together.
Merlin loved antiques – he had an incredible eye for beautiful pieces. He liked mission style furniture, beautiful, stained wood, oil paintings of nature, Frank Lloyd Wrigth architecture and he collected miniature pocket-sized tape measures. Pretty fitting for a cabinet maker!
Merlin was a loving Uncle, he always made time for a conversation with his nieces. He humored their ridiculous interrogations. The girls joked and said a conversation with Uncle Merlin looked more like an interrogation of them asking all the questions and him providing a yes or no response. Sometimes he would expand and when that was the case they would hang on to that topic for as long as he would allow. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke it was always kind, genuine, honest, and good intentioned.
Merlin was a man’s man, flannel, plaid, jeans a full beard and the most amazing hair, thick, curly but always combed back neatly. Merlin was a gentle man, gracious with his wife, a loving son who often checked in on his late mother, an encouraging father who showed it more than he said it, generous in spirit, a successful businessman and business owner, generous with his finances helping those in need not because he was asked, but because he was observant and acted selflessly.
In closing, if Merlin could write his own memoriam he would likely say ‘ah what is all the fuss about; just make sure I will see you all again in heaven!’ Merlin loved God and was a faithful servant. If you haven’t already accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please do; Merlin will be waiting for you, likely he is busy designing beautiful cabinets for your heavenly home right now!
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations in Merlin’s name to his home church - Tri-City Baptist Temple at PO Box 787, Gladstone, OR 97027.
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