1940
John
2020
John Howard Mercer
January 22, 1940 — December 19, 2020
John Mercer
Easley, SC
John Howard Mercer, age 80, beloved husband of Helen Shenk Mercer, passed away on December 19th, 2020.
Born in Nampa, Idaho, he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance from Oberlin College, Conservatory of Music. He spent his junior year in Salzburg, Austria studying at the Mozarteum and was principal oboist in the Mozarteum Orchestra. He also taught at music camps in Brevard, North Carolina; Sewanee, Tennessee and Interlochen, Michigan. His military service was at the United States Military Academy Concert Band in West Point, New York as principal oboist.
John retired after 34 years as principal oboist of the New Orleans Symphony, which was later the Louisiana Philharmonic, and moved with his wife to Easley, South Carolina in retirement. He previously played with the Boise Philharmonic during high school, and later played in the Indianapolis Symphony, Albany Symphony Orchestra and as principal oboist with the Metropolitan Opera National Company. John was also an accomplished pianist and accompanist.
He was noted in many newspaper reviews for his beautiful solos and on the New Orleans Symphony European tour as a "World Class Musician". Over many years, the recorded concerts have been played on New Orleans classical music radio stations. He also taught oboe students at Tulane University, Loyola University and the University of New Orleans in Louisiana.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helen; daughter, Elizabeth Mercer Aurandt; son, William Mercer; granddaughters, Lisle and Willow Aurandt; twin sister, Joan King; nephews, Chris and Mike Mercer, Kevin and Mike King, Mark and Eric Peterson, Scott Longley; and niece, Allison McQuade. He is predeceased by his parents, William Howard Mercer and Elosie Gazelle Mercer of Nampa, Idaho; his brother, James Mercer and his sister, Susan Cameron.
Robinson Funeral Home (1425 Powdersville Rd, Easley, SC 29642) is handling arrangements. A celebration of life will be held for the immediate family in memory of John. He will be dearly missed by Helen and his family.
Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory-Powdersville Road, Easley, SC.
Easley, SC
John Howard Mercer, age 80, beloved husband of Helen Shenk Mercer, passed away on December 19th, 2020.
Born in Nampa, Idaho, he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance from Oberlin College, Conservatory of Music. He spent his junior year in Salzburg, Austria studying at the Mozarteum and was principal oboist in the Mozarteum Orchestra. He also taught at music camps in Brevard, North Carolina; Sewanee, Tennessee and Interlochen, Michigan. His military service was at the United States Military Academy Concert Band in West Point, New York as principal oboist.
John retired after 34 years as principal oboist of the New Orleans Symphony, which was later the Louisiana Philharmonic, and moved with his wife to Easley, South Carolina in retirement. He previously played with the Boise Philharmonic during high school, and later played in the Indianapolis Symphony, Albany Symphony Orchestra and as principal oboist with the Metropolitan Opera National Company. John was also an accomplished pianist and accompanist.
He was noted in many newspaper reviews for his beautiful solos and on the New Orleans Symphony European tour as a "World Class Musician". Over many years, the recorded concerts have been played on New Orleans classical music radio stations. He also taught oboe students at Tulane University, Loyola University and the University of New Orleans in Louisiana.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helen; daughter, Elizabeth Mercer Aurandt; son, William Mercer; granddaughters, Lisle and Willow Aurandt; twin sister, Joan King; nephews, Chris and Mike Mercer, Kevin and Mike King, Mark and Eric Peterson, Scott Longley; and niece, Allison McQuade. He is predeceased by his parents, William Howard Mercer and Elosie Gazelle Mercer of Nampa, Idaho; his brother, James Mercer and his sister, Susan Cameron.
Robinson Funeral Home (1425 Powdersville Rd, Easley, SC 29642) is handling arrangements. A celebration of life will be held for the immediate family in memory of John. He will be dearly missed by Helen and his family.
Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory-Powdersville Road, Easley, SC.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Howard Mercer, please visit our flower store.
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