A Purrfect Legacy

Bonnie and Joe Merritt plan a gift to memorialize their beloved feline friend, CLEO.

By Michele Schevikhoven ’21

May 31, 2021

Bonnie and Joe Merritt have owned many cats over the years, but they agree their snow-white cat, CLEO, was one of a kind. After losing her life to cancer, the Merritts are remembering CLEO through their business and gifts to support future Aggies. 

For 17 years, CLEO followed Bonnie and Joe to their business, Buff Polish & Grind Industrial Supply Co. Inc, and sat with Bonnie in her office chair. “Her sweet personality made her the perfect companion,” Bonnie said. Unfortunately, CLEO experienced a reoccurring bout of cancer, ending their long companionship. The Merritts paid tribute to her by naming their patented white buffing product after her: CLEO’s Polishing Products. “As our product became popular, her name became part of our everyday vocabulary, growing our relationship as a result,” Joe said. “Thinking about her still makes us tear up.” 

Bonnie, Chastity (center) and Joe celebrate the grand opening of the CLEO "The Cat" Merritt Exam Room.

CLEO’s many treatments at a vet clinic in Argyle, Texas, introduced the family to Dr. Garry O’Neal ’84 ’87 and other Aggie vets. “We thought so highly of all the veterinarians,” Bonnie said. “They did an unbelievable job caring for us, CLEO and our other cats, so we wanted to give back.”  

To honor CLEO’s life and show appreciation for their new Aggie family, the Merritts created the CLEO “the cat” Merritt Endowed Scholarship for Aggie veterinary students studying small animal care and later included a bequest in their estate to increase the gift’s impact. “Everything we did in our business was related to CLEO, so it was only fitting that we establish this scholarship to honor her life,” Bonnie added.   

After touring Texas A&M’s veterinary facilities with development officer Chastity Carrigan '16, the couple was inspired to give more. “Chastity opened our eyes to everything Texas A&M’s vet program is doing,” Bonnie explained. The couple’s contribution to the university’s Small Animal Hospital was recognized with an exam room in CLEO’s name.  

While the Merritts will never know the full impact of their gifts, they have one wish: “We hope our gifts will inspire others the way CLEO continues to inspire us.” 

To support the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, contact Larry Walker ’97 by completing the form at the bottom of this page. To learn more about honorary or memorial planned giving, contact Angela Throne ’03 at giftplanning@txamfoundation.com or click on the button below. 

How to Honor Your Furry Friend

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  • Angela Throne '03

  • Senior Director of Gift Planning Operations
  • Office of Planned Giving
  • Call: 979.845.5638

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