Marshall Mercer, 80; Antelope Valley Doctor
Dr. Marshall M. Mercer, a pioneering physician in the Antelope Valley who helped bring other doctors to the area, has died. He was 80.
A resident of Van Nuys in the last three years, Mercer died Sept. 10 at a nursing home. The cause of death was not released, but his daughter, Barbara Mercer Casady, said he had been in declining health and confined to bed after suffering a broken hip in March.
Mercer, born in Seattle, attended high school in Glendale and earned a medical degree from USC. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II.
After settling in Lancaster in 1955, Mercer founded the first medical group in the community and began recruiting physicians. He was among the first doctors to practice at Antelope Valley Hospital when it opened in 1955, his daughter said.
In 1962, Mercer unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Congress from the 27th District, which then encompassed the Antelope Valley and parts of the San Fernando Valley, Burbank and Sunland-Tujunga.
In addition to Barbara, Mercer is survived by another daughter, Marsha Mercer Lang of Sacramento; a son, Marshall M. Mercer Jr. of Littleton, Colo.; a brother, Warren Mercer of Van Nuys; and six grandchildren.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Antelope Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Memorial services are pending.
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