English Funeral Chapels & Crematory - Memorial & Guest Registry

Roy McMurray
Roy "Mac" McMurray

December 23, 1923 ~ February 10, 2005

Roy "Mac" McMurray, 81, died Feb. 10, 2005, at Pinewood Care Center in Coeur d'Alene.

He was born in Puyallup, Wash., on Dec. 20, 1923, to Mr. and Mrs. C.E. McMurray. In 1930, he and his parents moved back to Coeur d'Alene, where Mac enjoyed growing up and attending local schools. After graduating from Coeur d'Alene High School, he attended North Idaho Junior College and then enrolled at University of Idaho.

Mac's college education was interrupted when he joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. During flight training, he met and fell in love with Patricia Kealy of Hastings, Neb. They were married on March 16, 1944, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene.

After he was commissioned a second lieutenant and received his pilot wings, Mac completed two combat tours in Italy. In 1945, he resigned from active duty and moved his family back to Coeur d'Alene.

Mac received his real estate license in 1956 and enjoyed an active real estate career for many years, which included owning McMurray Realty for almost 20 years, president of the Coeur d'Alene Board of Realtors, serving as a state director of Realtors.

Mac was deeply involved in the local community. He was lead trumpet in the Elks Club Band, commander of local Post 14 of the American Legion, athletic director of Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy Catholic High School, and an active member of the Lions Club. He was especially proud of his efforts in two volunteer positions -- board member and chairman of Coeur d'Alene Homes from 1975 to 1983, and board member and chairman on the Coeur d'Alene Planning Commission from 1971 to 1979.

Mac was predeceased by his parents and wife Patricia.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Fred and Judy McMurray of Coeur d'Alene, Kathleen and Tom Kurdy, Kalispell, Mont., Sally and Mike Rhodes, Mead, Wash.; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial Mass will be 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at St. Pius Catholic Church, 625 Haycraft, Coeur d'Alene.

Memorial donations may be made to Coeur d'Alene Homes, 704 West Walnut Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.

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Name: Debbi McMurray-Long
City: Coeur d'Alene
State: Idaho
Country: USA
Email: dmaclong@imbris.com
Date: 2/15/05

To my extended family - my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Roy was loved by all in this old town and I'm sure will be just as loved by all in his "new town".

As a child, I always admired him for his leadership and community involvement and I learned even more about him from the very nice article in the newspaper. I will always admire him and have come to realize what a special person he was and is. I hope he knows in his heart that we are here to keep his legacy alive.

Take care.

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Name: Jim Jackson
City: Livonia
State: MI
Country: USA
Email: jamesw.jackson@usarc-emh2.army.mil
Date: 15 Feb 05

My deepest sympathy to Roy's family and friends. I enjoyed playing in the Elk's Stage Band for over twenty years with Roy and enjoyed his company alot. I especially remember the band trip to Canada where the guys put me in the bus restroom with all the booze they were bringing back across the border. Mac was a big part of that. Thank you for letting me share these thoughts.

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To the McMurray Family. I would like to thank you for letting me get to know "Mac", he was a wonderful man. I spent many days laughing and joking with him. He will be truly missed by everyone at Pinewood Care Center, we had so much fun with him....God Bless You, and take care!

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Name: Jim Hanson
City: Bothell
State: WA
Email: ivanho991@comcast.net
Date: 02/16/2005

To the McMurray Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Roy was as a kind gentleman, with a great sense of humor. As a kid, I have fond memories of the Catholic and Lutheran get-togethers. Lots of laughter and fun.

God's peace be with you,

Jim Hanson (Betty and Ivan's son)

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Name: George Goetzman
City: Coeur d'Alene
State: ID
Country: USA
Email: george@goetzman.com
Date: 2/20/05

Here are a couple of Roy McMurray memories that I have. My dad hung out with Roy quite a bit, and at one point we had a dog named Mac and the McMurray's had a dog named George. I have no idea who named their dog first.

I think of Coeur d'Alene Clothiers in Mid Town. Looking at all my Catholic friends wearing their IHM uniform salt and pepper cords from Coeur d'Alene Clothiers.

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Name: steve badraun
City: nampa,
State: idaho
Email: sbadraun@earthlink.net
Date: 2/24

It was Roy McMurray and Art Berard who sold us the old Duncans on 4th Street and helped us start our career in the garden center business. We lived in father "pappy" McMurrays house on B Street for 5 years while we built the business.

Warm regards to the McMurray families

Steve and Jane Badraun

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Name: Sister Kathleen McNulty, IHM
City: Scranton
State: PA
Country: USA
Email: mcnulk@sistersofihm.org
Date: February 27, 2005

My prayers and thoughts are with the family at this time. I have fond memories of you.
Sincerely,
Sister Kathleen McNulty, IHM
(Sister Spiritus)

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Name: KEith Kroetch
City: Coeur d' Alene
State: Id
Country: USA
Email: kkroetch458@msn.com
Date: 3-2-05

My condolenses. Roy was a great person. I was involved with him mostly in real estate. Thank you, Keith