November 24, 1930, - June 5, 2024
On June 25, 2024, at the ripe old age of 93, Bobby Eugene (Bob) McMurtry, also, lovingly known as Papa Murtry, took the hand of Jesus, walked over and climbed up on his old, red Massey Ferguson tractor, after he jump-started it with a screwdriver, listened, and said,” Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound!… I think we should plant sorghum right over there!”
Bobby Eugene was born to Thomas Sherman and Nellie McMurtry, on November 24, 1930, in Davenport, Oklahoma. But, he told his girls, as they drove past the old home place on 66, that he was born in that pigpen over there on that hill. He loved a good laugh and making them wonder. Another story he loved to tell was about his personal angel. Well, in a farming family, the kids often worked alongside Mom and Dad, and Bobby, as a little tyke, quickly tired and would often fall asleep in the field. However, the next morning he would wake up in his own bed. So, in his mind, it had to be an angel that took him home. He was a positive thinker from an early age and got out of a lot of work! As a kid, Bobby moved several times and fell behind in primary school. However, he was quite proud of being held back and always said, “I was smart…just needed more time and I really liked my new teacher!” And this was the attitude he carried throughout life.
Bob graduated from Chandler High School, married his high school sweetheart, Bessie Stewart, and to this union were born two daughters, Janet Sue and Marsha Ann. The family set roots in Bristow, in the early 50’s. Bob operated the Gibble Gas Service Station and sold used cars on the corner of 4th and Main. He was a jack of all trades, owned and operated many businesses, from having the first car wash in Bristow to building fiberglass boats, making and installing septic tanks to installing water well pumps. He purchased Glen Acres and developed it into a beautiful housing addition. One of his former employees and lifetime friend described Bob best when he said, “Bob could laugh at people’s mistakes without making it a personal insult to the people making them. He could find something good or positive about anything seemingly bad without placing blame or giving credit to either side of an argument. Once wronged, he would not seek revenge or hold a grudge, but the person who had wronged him would never be the same in his eyes, making the loss of Bob’s trust or friendship something very valuable to anybody who ever really considered such things to be of value.”
He went on to say, “One of very few people I’ve ever met that has all the good qualities… integrity, resourcefulness, compassion, humor, balanced temperament… but never deceitful, corrupt, arrogant, shallow, or one to take unfair advantage of anyone or anything that might be vulnerable to a situation or circumstance that could be harmful in any way.” Joe Weaver sure knew Bob.
Time moved on and so did Bob. He later married Vergie Moody. They bought a farm, settled in their new home, and welcomed more grandchildren. The kids loved the farm and Papa Murtry was more that happy to have them visit. He built a paradise in which they could fish, swim, hunt, camp, and just be kids. His Coca Cola room was the best, as the kids loved all his goofy stuff and home made signs. Bob’s hobbies consisted of taking pictures and making his own cards for special events, and it was always amusing when birthdays came around because Bob’s cards were hilarious with a touch of corny. His sense of humor was spot on! He, also, enjoyed woodworking and built his own furniture. However, his favorite pastime was fishing. As heaged, that was something he and his grandsons and great grandkids could do, and it brought him much joy because he always caught most of the fish!
Family was extremely important to Bob. As time went on, he and his brothers, Bruce and Leonard decided it would be fun to buy a sorghum mill and have a sorghum festival. It was a hit and has continued for over 40 years. Family and friends gather on a Sunday in the fall and enjoy a day of sorghum making, eating great food, listening to music, hayrides, and visiting with relatives and friends. It was their way of keeping the extended family together, something very important to all three McMurtry boys.
Bob will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his daughters, Janet Wilson and husband Mike, Marsha Jones and Mike Jones, grandchildren; Justin Jones and wife Brooke, Paul Biggs and wife Ashley, Sarah Pinson and husband Brian,Ty Biggs and wife Lindsey, Hilary Jones, Kale Biggs and wife Caci, Jordyn Robinson and husband Braden, great grandchildren, Elliott and Cohen Jones, Talyn and Huntley Biggs, Brynlee and Graham Pinson, Chanly and Saylor Biggs, Kolsen and Kanyon Biggs, and Quinn and Callahan Robinson, bonus granddaughter, Makayla Wilson, and brother, Leonard Mc-Murtry and wife Anne. He was preceded in death by his daughters’s mother, Bessie Mc-Murtry Falmo, and wife Vergie, sisters Lois Jacobs, and Juanita Stidham, brother Bruce Mc-Murtry, parents Thomas Sherman and Nellie McMurtry, and good companion, Mamie Shores.
A celebration of life will be held in the fall, at the annual McMurtry Sorghum Festival, because …Bob said so!
Services are under the direction of Hutchins Maples Matherly Funeral Home.