Steve Merchant, 57, a lifetime resident of Panama City passed away on Monday, May 9, 2017.  Steve, Merch, to his baseball world, was highly involved in the baseball community locally since his playing days as a youth and as a player at Gulf Coast Community College. He along with Mike Scott were co-creators of Team Florida USA Baseball (TFUSA), an elite baseball program for players ranging from ages 14-18. Over the 12+ years he coached in the program, TFUSA alumni includes 38 major league baseball players and over 250 players who played in college, along with many others that learned the game from him. Steve later became an assistant coach at Gulf Coast Community College with Mike Kandler for a few years. Steve impacted hundreds of young men's lives over the course of his coaching career. He had a way of getting the best out of every player whether they were the last one on the bench or the star of his team. He took great pride in seeing his young players develop, grow and succeed as well as encouraging them to grow as people both on and off the field. He was preceded in death by his father, Maurice Merchant; his grandparents, T. Woodie & Lois Smith and Jasper & Cora Merchant.  He is survived by his mother, Clare Merchant; his brother, David Merchant and wife, Ashley; niece, Saige Merchant; nephews, Shea Merchant, Slayter Merchant and his uncle, T. Woodie Smith Jr. and wife, Sonya.  Graveside services will be held on Saturday at 10am in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Steve loved his family and his times spent with them were some of his happiest moments. Thank you for your prayers, please remember the incredible passion Steve had for the game and its players. A wonderful baseball mind has left us!" In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Gulf Coast Baseball Team c/o Gulf Coast Athletics 5230 West Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32405 in memory of Steve Merchant.