Don\'t Box Me In: Merle Temple

Merle\'s life is so interesting it could be a movie. As a matter of fact, it may be a movie! Get the story from the source in this conversation with Lana.

Merle Temple

Merle Temple, a native of Tupelo, MS. received a BPA and a Master’s of Criminal Justice at Ole Miss. The first Captain in the MS. Bureau of Narcotics in the 1970s, he was Class President of the New England Institute of Management and a graduate of the DEA Academy in Washington during the early days of President Nixon\'s first drug wars.



Held hostage while working undercover, he later met men hired by organized crime to kill him in a standoff near Memphis, and was involved in a gun battle with drug dealers in a heroin deal gone sour. He was Internal Affairs investigator of a plan to corrupt the MBN.



Merle received the American Legion Award, served as MS Criminal Justice Chairman for Ronald Reagan for President, taught criminal justice/sociology at Augusta State University, hosted the White House Deputy Drug Czar, and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Ole Miss.



As Bell System Security Mgr., he assisted police to save a deputy mayor\'s wife held hostage by a gunman, and was business manager and long range planning manager where he authored a service plan for new customers to spur sales and economic growth.



He received BellSouth awards for leadership, management and public relations, and chaired many non-profit boards and fundraisers. He was education chair for the Augusta Chamber of Commerce, served on a national panel setting school standards and argued against lowering standards. Nominated for President Bush\'s Points of Light Award, he was named Ga. Drug Free Chair by U.S.Senator Coverdell.



As Care Management Consultants Chair, his fight against OSHA\'s punitive actions became a rallying cry against government\'s heavy hand, and the subject of a U.S. House speech by Congressman Norwood. He chaired national search committees for Augusta’s City Manager and School Superintendent, was a local college lecturer, lobbied for economic development, and was elected Chairman of the Metro Quality Council.



He raised funds for political campaigns and managed \"the biggest political upset\" in 50 years. He retired early and was nominated by Congressman Norwood for a Federal appointment, but accepted an appointment as Ga. Deputy Superintendent of Education.



Merle is author of the novel, A Ghostly Shade of Pale, inspired by experiences in the MS. Bureau of Narcotics, and is writing the sequel, A Rented World, based on events in the Bell System and politics. His ministry, Prisoners of the Lord, planted Christian movie nights at three prison sites where thousands of men were exposed to Christ.



Merle remarried after the death of his wife Susan, and now lives near Tupelo with his wife Judy Bates Temple. He writes and serves as an evangelist as he seeks to live his faith, defend the Truth, and advance the Kingdom.

Merle\'s Website