Don McMurray

Don McMurray, of Kingston, left his earthly life on November 29th after 90 years. He was born November 9, 1927 to Ralph C. and Helen (Rose) McMurray. After his mother’s death eight days later, he and his siblings lived with and were reared by his maternal grandfather, C. M. Rose, and C.M.’s two youngest daughters, Mary Ruth Rose and Rachel “Tots” Liggett. Don’s father, Ralph McMurray, had moved to the Fairview area of Roane County by horse and wagon along with his father, T. H. Smith McMurray, in the summer of 1906. After serving in the US Army during the occupation of Japan, Don completed his college degree and married Jo Logan in 1951. After living briefly in Columbia, SC, they returned to Kingston to start their family. He spent about 35 years at the Y-12 plant working for Union Carbide and Martin Marietta primarily managing the Stores department and the TAT School. He enjoyed making detailed wood carvings until his hands would no longer cooperate. He is survived by Jo, his wife of 66 years; son David and wife Betty McMurray of Kingston, daughter Sara Beth and George Silverman of Memphis, grandsons Donald McMurray of Kingston, Cole and wife Barrie Silverman of St. Louis, MO, and Nathan Silverman of Pensacola, FL, and great-grandson Blake Silverman of St. Louis MO. He is preceded in death by parents Ralph C. and Helen (Rose) McMurray, “his surrogate parents” C.M. Rose, Rachel Liggett and Mary Ruth Rose, brother Charles E. "Gene" McMurray, and sister Harriet "Rose' Taylor. He enjoyed people in general. Whenever he was in a waiting room or sitting on a bench somewhere, he would always strike up a conversation with whoever was nearby, many times discovering a common relative or at least someone they knew in common. He also enjoyed worshiping with and visiting his friends at First Baptist Church of Kingston where he was baptized as a child. He was very active at one time with the Lions Club, served one term on the Roane County School Board, and volunteered with Habitat For Humanity. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Kingston Building Fund. Funeral 2pm Sunday December 3, 2017 in the Kyker Chapel with the Rev. Jody McLoud officiating. Burial to follow in Roane Memorial Gardens with full military honors. The family will receive friends Saturday from 2 until 4pm at the Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston.

Don McMurray

November 9, 1927 - November 29, 2017