Mervin Earl Meck II

Mervin Earl Meck, II, fondly known as Earl or Mecko, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on November 9, 2025, in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Born on January 5, 1945, in Kirksville, Missouri, Earl was the son of Mervin and Nancy Meck. He grew up in New Smyrna Beach, Florida alongside his three brothers Bill, Dave, and Steve.

Earl earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Goshen College in Goshen, IN, where he lived and worked for several years. He then moved back to New Smyrna Beach where he began his sales career selling ambulances. His entrepreneurial spirit soon led him to co-found First Response, an ambulance manufacturer in the Atlanta area that later spun off MetroTrans Corp, a shuttle-bus manufacturer. MetroTrans went public on the Nasdaq in 1994. After a successful career, Earl retired at the early age of 53.

A man of many passions, Earl was a history buff who loved classic cars and all things rock-n-roll! He was an avid traveler, scuba diver, and fisherman who explored the Atlantic and Caribbean aboard his beloved yacht, The Orion.

In 2001, Earl relocated to Bocas del Toro, Panama, where he found paradise and married the love of his life, Danuta, in 2007. Together, they built a beautiful life surrounded by the sea, friends, and endless adventure.

Those who knew Earl will remember his jokes and stories, positivity, deep gratitude, and unwavering enthusiasm for life. He truly lived it to the fullest!

Earl is survived by his wife of 18 years, Danuta; his brothers, Dave and Steve Meck; his son, David (Nicole) Meck and daughter Nancy Meck; and his stepchildren, Vivi, Mia, Eran, and Adam Farchy. He was also the proud grandfather of his cherished granddaughter, Alexandra Meck (9), and four other beloved grandchildren: Diego (11), Natalie (9), Mateo (8), and Maiki (8) Farchy.

A celebration of his life will be held in New Smyrna Beach, Florida and in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Please contact the family for additional details.

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. – Epictetus