Legacy In Motion

A Tribute to Mervin Grayson Jr.
Board Member, Community Leader, Hero

When I think of Mervin Grayson Jr., three things come to mind: the cars he drove, the colognes he wore, and those infamous words—“Hey niecey.”

To many in Bartlesville, he was a local legend. The man with a steady hand, a strong work ethic, and a heart big enough to feed a crowd. To the Westside Community Center, he was more than a board member... he was family. I’m not sure when he joined WCC’s Board of Directors, but a plaque that hangs in our foyer dates back to 1993. Whether offering wisdom, lending a hand, or simply showing up when it mattered, his quiet strength helped anchor Westside through many seasons.

But to me, he was Uncle Mervin.

My memories are full of grease-stained hands and conversations about cars... always in the shop with my dad, fine-tuning or admiring something. His love for family, his craftsmanship, and that signature grin left an imprint not just on the vehicles he worked on but on every person he encountered.

When we planned this year’s Juneteenth celebration, the moment folks heard there’d be a BBQ competition, the first question I got was, “Will Merv be a judge?” He had that kind of reputation, the kind that lives on long after the grill cools and the trophies are packed up. Just days before his passing, I was speaking with a city staff member who mentioned how Uncle Mervin had helped map out park layouts for Douglassaires events. Even behind the scenes, he was always thinking ahead.

Uncle Mervin was a man of honor. He served this country in Vietnam with unmatched courage, receiving the Army Commendation Medal for heroism under fire. But even after earning military recognition, he returned home and chose to serve his community just as faithfully. He led with humility, showed up with consistency, and made an impact that didn’t fade. And in 2019, Uncle Mervin received the Bartlesville Hometown Hero Award.

When we honored the late Morris McCorvey last year, and I asked a few veterans to come out and help lower the flag in his memory, I never imagined that less than a year later, I’d be calling on those same men to honor Uncle Mervin. If you’re a veteran, I kindly ask that you join me on Tuesday, July 8th at 10:00 AM to lower the flag to half-mast before funeral services begin at 11:00 AM at First Wesleyan Church.

After I received the news of his passing from my father on Tuesday, word spread fast. I’ve heard stories from sanitation workers who saw him as a mentor, and community members who felt his influence over generations. Everyone echoed the same thing: his presence was felt, and it will be missed.

Westside Community Center has lost a pillar. Our family has lost a patriarch. And Bartlesville has lost a hometown hero.

But his legacy lives on... in the stories, the smiles, the slow-cooked BBQ, and the center he helped keep alive.

Thank you, Uncle Mervin, for the quiet sacrifices and the loud love. You’ve run your race well.

I’m glad you got to see the next generation of leaders at Westside Community Center and Douglassaires. We will take it from here!

Forever and always,
Your Niecey!