Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
NameCol. Dr.“Mike” Merrill Russell MURRAY 
20, 10 th child,404, Colonel Merrill Russell Murray-3 August 1917 – 4 May 2004 • L61Y-13Q,152, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/1...n/332112273357/facts,470, Arthur Gray Murray-Obituary
20, 10 th child,404, Colonel Merrill Russell Murray-3 August 1917 – 4 May 2004 • L61Y-13Q,152, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/1...n/332112273357/facts,470, Arthur Gray Murray-ObituaryBirthAug 3, 1917, New Castle, Henry County, Indiana404, Colonel Merrill Russell Murray-3 August 1917 – 4 May 2004 • L61Y-13Q
DeathMay 4, 2004, Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida404, Colonel Merrill Russell Murray-3 August 1917 – 4 May 2004 • L61Y-13Q
BurialHighland View Cemetery(Big Rapids City), Big Rapids, Mecosta County, Michigan
FlagsKorean War, US Air Force, US Army Air Corps, World War II
FatherArthur Gray MURRAY (1881-1965)
MotherMary Lizzie DIXON (1880-1968)
Spouses
1“Pat” Eva Jean YERGIN 470, Merrill Russell “Mike” Murray-Information,470, Mrs Eva Jean “Pat” Yergin Murray
470, Merrill Russell “Mike” Murray-Information,470, Mrs Eva Jean “Pat” Yergin MurrayBirthAug 21, 1920, United States470, Mrs Eva Jean “Pat” Yergin Murray
DeathJan 12, 2009, Michigan470, Mrs Eva Jean “Pat” Yergin Murray
BurialHighland View Cemetery(Big Rapids City), Big Rapids, Mecosta County, Michigan470, Mrs Eva Jean “Pat” Yergin Murray
MarriageMar 30, 1940470, Merrill Russell “Mike” Murray-Information
ChildrenMichael
Obituary Online notes for Col. Dr.“Mike” Merrill Russell MURRAY
Big Rapids Pioneer - May 8, 2004
Big Rapids - Dr. Merrill R. "Mike" Murray, 86 of Big Rapids, died Tuesday, Mary 4, 2004 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Fla.
He was born Aug. 3, 1917, in New Castle, Ind., the son of Arthur and Mary (Dixon) Murray.
Dr. Murray arrived in Big Rapids in 1959 when he joined Ferris State University (then Ferris Institute) as dean of the Specialized Education and Adult Education and was associate dean of the College of Optometry when he retied in 1982.
Dr. Murray began his career in education as a math teacher at New Castle High School, New Castle, Ind. (1949-1950, 1953-1954). He then served as principal of Ridgeville High School, Ridgeville, Ind. (1954-1956), a research associate at Indiana University (1956-58) and prior to arriving in Big Rapids, was dean of students at Tri State University in Angola, Ind. (1958-59).
Dr. Murray had an extensive career in the U.S. Air Force. He began his military career by serving on active duty during World War II in the Army Air Corp as a navigator-bombardier flying in B-24 ad B-25 bombers. He continued his military career in the active Air Force Reserve and was called to active duty during the Korean War at which time he ran USAF Dependent Schools in England and he also was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He retired from the Air Force in 1974 as a squadron commander of the 931st Combat Support Squadron, based at Bakalar Air Force Base, Columbus, Ind., at the rank of full colonel.
Dr. Murray received bachelor's (1949) and master's (1951) degrees from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and Ed.D degree from Indiana University (1960).
While living in Big Rapids, Dr. Murray was a member of the Big Rapids Rotary Club (President 1964-65) and served on the Board of Directors of Central Michigan Bank and Trust.
He also was instrumental in the establishment of the FSU Emeriti Association after he retied from the university.
Dr. Murray was a member of the United Church, where he served as an Elder. He also was a member of several organizations, including the American and Michigan Optometric Association, American Legion, the Masonic Lodge (Scottish Rite), Phi Delta Kappa and the Reserve Officers Association.
He is survived by his wife, Eva Jean (Pat) Murray, who he married on March 30, 1940; a son, Michael (Pamela) of Grandville; a grandson, Matthew of Novi; a sister, Louise Nattkemper of St. Louis, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews. Four brothers and two sisters preceded Dr. Murray in death.
Funeral services will be at 11:30 on Monday at the United Church of Big Rapids with the Rev. Jon Fleming officiating. Burial will be at the Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids. Dr. Murray's family will greet friends Sunday from 6 to 8 pm at the Mohnke Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Merrill R. Murray Endowed Scholarship at the Michigan College of Optometry, Ferris State University or the American Heart Association. 470, Merrill Russell “Mike” Murray
Big Rapids - Dr. Merrill R. "Mike" Murray, 86 of Big Rapids, died Tuesday, Mary 4, 2004 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Fla.
He was born Aug. 3, 1917, in New Castle, Ind., the son of Arthur and Mary (Dixon) Murray.
Dr. Murray arrived in Big Rapids in 1959 when he joined Ferris State University (then Ferris Institute) as dean of the Specialized Education and Adult Education and was associate dean of the College of Optometry when he retied in 1982.
Dr. Murray began his career in education as a math teacher at New Castle High School, New Castle, Ind. (1949-1950, 1953-1954). He then served as principal of Ridgeville High School, Ridgeville, Ind. (1954-1956), a research associate at Indiana University (1956-58) and prior to arriving in Big Rapids, was dean of students at Tri State University in Angola, Ind. (1958-59).
Dr. Murray had an extensive career in the U.S. Air Force. He began his military career by serving on active duty during World War II in the Army Air Corp as a navigator-bombardier flying in B-24 ad B-25 bombers. He continued his military career in the active Air Force Reserve and was called to active duty during the Korean War at which time he ran USAF Dependent Schools in England and he also was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He retired from the Air Force in 1974 as a squadron commander of the 931st Combat Support Squadron, based at Bakalar Air Force Base, Columbus, Ind., at the rank of full colonel.
Dr. Murray received bachelor's (1949) and master's (1951) degrees from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and Ed.D degree from Indiana University (1960).
While living in Big Rapids, Dr. Murray was a member of the Big Rapids Rotary Club (President 1964-65) and served on the Board of Directors of Central Michigan Bank and Trust.
He also was instrumental in the establishment of the FSU Emeriti Association after he retied from the university.
Dr. Murray was a member of the United Church, where he served as an Elder. He also was a member of several organizations, including the American and Michigan Optometric Association, American Legion, the Masonic Lodge (Scottish Rite), Phi Delta Kappa and the Reserve Officers Association.
He is survived by his wife, Eva Jean (Pat) Murray, who he married on March 30, 1940; a son, Michael (Pamela) of Grandville; a grandson, Matthew of Novi; a sister, Louise Nattkemper of St. Louis, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews. Four brothers and two sisters preceded Dr. Murray in death.
Funeral services will be at 11:30 on Monday at the United Church of Big Rapids with the Rev. Jon Fleming officiating. Burial will be at the Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids. Dr. Murray's family will greet friends Sunday from 6 to 8 pm at the Mohnke Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Merrill R. Murray Endowed Scholarship at the Michigan College of Optometry, Ferris State University or the American Heart Association. 470, Merrill Russell “Mike” Murray