Christian "Carl" Mertins, Jr., 91, native of Pensacola, FL passed away Saturday, September 30, 2017.

Carl was born on July 10, 1926 to Christian Carl and Helen Bond Mertins. He was a lifelong citizen of Northwest Florida. Carl attended local schools graduating from Pensacola High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1950 and also graduated from The School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University in 1957. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

Carl served his country honorably in the European Theater during WWII as a Sergeant in the US Army. He also served during the Korean Conflict as a First Lieutenant of Artillery.

After graduation, Carl joined First Bank and Trust Company which later became Barnett Bank of West Florida. He "climbed the ranks" to later become Bank President. The highlight of his career was when he was elected to be President of the Florida Banker's Association. Barnett Bank of West Florida was later renamed Barnett Bank of Northwest Florida when several more branched banks were joined to the downtown bank location. Carl ultimately retired from Barnett Bank after 35 years of service.

As a community leader, Carl served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the University of West Florida Foundation, served on the Gulf Coast Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and was active with Junior Achievement.

In 1975-76, he was a member of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission and was also on the Governor's Citizen Committee on Education under Florida Governor Reubin Askew. Carl served in various capacities with the United Way of Escambia County and was chairman of the 1974 Financial Campaign. He also was a member of the Rotary Club since 1973. Carl was also proud to be honored as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Carl and his wife Shirley have been active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola where he also became an Elder. He was a diehard University of Florida, Gator Fan. He treasured many mementos of his favorite college football team. He was proud to be one of the "Boys of Florida."

He enjoyed golfing and he played in numerous Pro-Am Golf Tournaments to help fund good causes such as the Naval Aviation Museum. Carl's father was a career employee of the L&N Railroad and Carl, Jr. was an avid enthusiast of anything dealing with railroads.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Dorothy Nobles Mertins.

Survivors include his loving wife of 29 years, Shirley Bell Mertins; his sons, Clifton Karl Mertins (Janice) and David Lawrence Mertins (Ann); his daughter, Laura Mertins Garner; step-daughters, Petrea Palmer Tomko (Joe) and Carolyn Palmer Appleyard (Dick); step-sons, Robert Conrad Palmer III (Marianne) and Ray Palmer (Susan); as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he enjoyed spending time with after retirement.

Memorial Service will be held 11:00am Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Robert Thomas Quiring officiating. A reception will follow in the church parlor. Private Family Burial will be held at Roberts Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Clifton Karl Mertins, Mark Murphy, Max Murphy, Jeff Slayton, James Hardy and Richard Hardy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the following organizations which were dear to Carl's heart, The United Way of Escambia County, The Children's Home Society, Gulf Coast Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the L&N Railroad Museum in Milton, FL. He also had been a longtime contributor to the Haven of Our Lady of Peace as they took such good care of his parents.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Haven of Our lady of Peace for their many years of loving care provided to their family.