Morris E. McMurray
November 15th, 1932 - June 1st, 2024
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Morris's Obituary
Morris Eugene McMurray, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, 91, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, June 1st, 2024, at his home in St. Joseph.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, June 7th, 2024, from 5pm-7pm at Starks and Menchinger Chapel 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 8th, 2024, at 11am, at Pathway Methodist Church, 2950 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, MI with Pastor Dan Colthorp officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon, MI, where military honor will be presented by Colon American Legion. Memorial contributions can be made to Pathway Methodist Church, 2950 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, or the Colon American Legion Post 454, P.O. Box 25, Colon, MI 49040. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Morris was born on November 15th, 1932, to Ralph and Lucille (Hall) McMurray at his family home in Colon, MI. He graduated from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana with a business degree. He went on to open his own accounting firm, McMurray Marks and Edmonds, and retired after 45 years. On July 12th, 1958, he married the love of his life, Jane Alice Straw. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, now Pathway Methodist Church for 65 years. His faith in God was handed down to his children and grandchildren.
Morris was a 70 year member of the Colon, MI American Legion, 60 year member of the St. Joseph Lions and Elks clubs, and was a Korean War Veteran, serving our country in the US Army. He spent time in boot camp in Kansas and California. He was passionate about and took pride in being a veteran and would participate in many veteran honoring events including Lest We Forget.
As a young man, Morris went to Alaska to help build the Richardson Highway into Valdez. He enjoyed going to deer camp every year and was an avid fisherman and golfer. He had a zest for life and held many lifelong friendships. He loved to travel, and he and Jane took many trips across the world, traveling to Ireland, Hawaii, and taking road trips. Many of their vacations were spent with his sister in law Mary and her husband Burr. The last road trip they took together was down the entirety of historic Route 66.
Morris was an expert morel hunter, fish fryer, and pancake maker. He handed down his knowledge for finding morels and love of being in the woods to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Morris loved to make people laugh and was masterful at telling jokes and writing poetry. He knew magic and was a great story teller. He loved sports and in his later years he and his son Patrick and grandson Isaiah would sit in his living room and watch many golf, baseball and football games together. Morris was a fan of both Notre Dame and Michigan, showing he had an open mind and heart.
Morris is survived by his daughter Martha (Patrick) McCrevan of St. Joseph and son Patrick McMurray of St. Joseph, grandchildren Leah Toney, Christin Toney, Olivia McCrevan and Isaiah McCrevan, great grandchildren Anidale, Brendan, and Giovani, and sister in law Ruthe McNee.
Honoring Morris’ wishes, cremation will take place.
Morris was preceded in death by his wife Jane and his parents Ralph and Lucille.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 269-556-9450.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, June 7th, 2024, from 5pm-7pm at Starks and Menchinger Chapel 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 8th, 2024, at 11am, at Pathway Methodist Church, 2950 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, MI with Pastor Dan Colthorp officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon, MI, where military honor will be presented by Colon American Legion. Memorial contributions can be made to Pathway Methodist Church, 2950 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, or the Colon American Legion Post 454, P.O. Box 25, Colon, MI 49040. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Morris was born on November 15th, 1932, to Ralph and Lucille (Hall) McMurray at his family home in Colon, MI. He graduated from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana with a business degree. He went on to open his own accounting firm, McMurray Marks and Edmonds, and retired after 45 years. On July 12th, 1958, he married the love of his life, Jane Alice Straw. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, now Pathway Methodist Church for 65 years. His faith in God was handed down to his children and grandchildren.
Morris was a 70 year member of the Colon, MI American Legion, 60 year member of the St. Joseph Lions and Elks clubs, and was a Korean War Veteran, serving our country in the US Army. He spent time in boot camp in Kansas and California. He was passionate about and took pride in being a veteran and would participate in many veteran honoring events including Lest We Forget.
As a young man, Morris went to Alaska to help build the Richardson Highway into Valdez. He enjoyed going to deer camp every year and was an avid fisherman and golfer. He had a zest for life and held many lifelong friendships. He loved to travel, and he and Jane took many trips across the world, traveling to Ireland, Hawaii, and taking road trips. Many of their vacations were spent with his sister in law Mary and her husband Burr. The last road trip they took together was down the entirety of historic Route 66.
Morris was an expert morel hunter, fish fryer, and pancake maker. He handed down his knowledge for finding morels and love of being in the woods to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Morris loved to make people laugh and was masterful at telling jokes and writing poetry. He knew magic and was a great story teller. He loved sports and in his later years he and his son Patrick and grandson Isaiah would sit in his living room and watch many golf, baseball and football games together. Morris was a fan of both Notre Dame and Michigan, showing he had an open mind and heart.
Morris is survived by his daughter Martha (Patrick) McCrevan of St. Joseph and son Patrick McMurray of St. Joseph, grandchildren Leah Toney, Christin Toney, Olivia McCrevan and Isaiah McCrevan, great grandchildren Anidale, Brendan, and Giovani, and sister in law Ruthe McNee.
Honoring Morris’ wishes, cremation will take place.
Morris was preceded in death by his wife Jane and his parents Ralph and Lucille.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 269-556-9450.
Memorial Contributions
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