James Eugene McMurtrey's Obituary
James Eugene McMurtrey passed away on October 20, 2005 at the age of 90, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born October 5, 1915 in Alto, Texas to the late James Edmund and Dolly Ester McMurtrey. He grew up in Rison, Arkansas, where he graduated from Rison High School as valedictorian of his class in 1938. He attended the University of Arkansas for three years prior to enlisting in the Army before WWII. He served in the 104th Infantry from 1940 to 1945 achieving the rank of 1st SGT and saw action in the Aleutian Islands. He was awarded the American Defense Service Ribbon and one Bronze Service Star, the AP Service Ribbon and One Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal. After WWII, he finished his education at the University of Southern California receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked for North American Rockwell as a Technical Specialist for 32 years in California. He retired to Russellville, Arkansas in 1978.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Jeanne Thorpe of Virginia Beach, VA, his sister Pauline (Polly) Stires of Lawrence, Kansas and his brother Borden McMurtrey of Rison, Arkansas.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Olive McMurtrey of Fayetteville, a daughter Kathy Carpenter and son-in-law John Carpenter of Carlsbad, California, a daughter, Laura Mortensen and son-in-law Paul Mortensen of Fayetteville, Arkansas, a son-in-law Tom Thorpe of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Six grandchildren, Jeannie Chisman and her husband Beau of Van Buren, Arkansas, Matthew Waxenfelter and his wife Valerie of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Michael Thorpe of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Daniel Thorpe and his wife Erin of Virginia Beach, Virginia, David Mortensen of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Leigh Mortensen of Fayetteville. Four great-grandchildren, Jacob and Natalie Waxenfelter and Isabel and Liberty Chisman.
A celebration of his life will be held 12:00 PM, Saturday, October 29, 2005 at the Old Post Park Pavilion #5 in Russellville, Arkansas.
Visitation Date Time None Visitation Location Service Date Time Saturday, October 29, 2005 12:00 PM Service Location Old Post Park Pavilion #5 in Russellville, Arkansas
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