Dawson Tate Merrick, 10, of Flagstaff, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2009, at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Dawson died of complications from a bone marrow transplant which was to cure him of leukemia.

Dawson was born August 28, 1999 in Flagstaff. He was in 4th grade at Knoles Elementary School. He played baseball at Continental Little League and was a recommended Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do at Maximum Martial Arts.

He is survived by his sister Delaney; his parents Donn and Audra Merrick; grandparents Harry and Ruth Ann Lutes of Easton, PA; grandparents Daryl and MaryBeth Merrick of Flagstaff; Uncle Dallas Merrick of Chandler, AZ; Aunt Lisa and Uncle Phil Virgilio and cousins Emily and Adam of Easton, PA; Aunt Heather and Uncle Scott Hacker and cousins Kaylee and Abigail of Nazareth, PA; Great Grandmother MaryElizabeth Harper of Flagstaff.

The family is very grateful for the generosity of their friends. Contributions may be made to the Dawson Merrick Medical Fund at Bank of America. The family will contribute to one of the organizations that can help kids like Dawson. To read about Dawson's fight with cancer, go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/dawsonmerrick.

Services will be Saturday, September 26th, 2009, 10:00 a.m. at Christs Church of Flagstaff. A traditional burial will follow at Citizen's Cemetery; followed by a pot luck reception at Knoles Elementary School.

Family asks that Dawson's friends bring their baseball bats and Bo Staffs to the service.