Murrel & Opal (Ritter) McMahan
Cemetery Photo
Dibble Cemetery, Dibble, McClain Co. OK

© Jan Fendley

Obit for Murrel posted by Ann Weber

Murrel McMahan
(June 23, 1914 - January 22, 2016)

Murrel McMahan, age 101 ½ of OKC, went home to be with his Lord on Friday, January 22, 2016 in Okla. City.

He was born June 23, 1914 in Washington, OK. He was one of seven children born to David Thomas McMahan and Della Francis (Mason) McMahan. Murrel had a twin sister, Pearl, he also had twin sisters, Eulah and Beulah, and his mother died during the 1918 flu epidemic carrying twins. Murrel was four years old when his mother died and was raised by his father. He grew up in the Washington and Dibble areas until 1934 at age 20, he moved to Oklahoma City where he began working for Wilson Certified Foods. Murrel later married Opal Ritter of Dibble and they made their home in Okla. City. Then in 1947 they moved to Newcastle. While living in Newcastle they ran a dairy, farmed and Murrel continued working for Wilsons. During the time they lived in Newcastle, Murrel became a Christian and joined the Newcastle First Baptist Church. In 1960 they moved to Luther, OK where they purchased land and continued to farm. Five years later they moved to South Oklahoma City where he still lived at the time of his death. Murrel worked for Wilson & Co. for over 43 years, before retiring as an operating engineer. While working for Wilson & Company he was President of the Local Meat Packers of America for ten years. After retiring, Murrel and Opal bought an RV, grabbed their fishing poles and began living the life of retirees. They traveled all over the United States camping and fishing for several years until Opal passed away in 1998. Murrel truly had a servant’s heart. He took excellent care of Opal during the last few years of her life. Over the years in Okla. City they were members of several Baptist churches including Brookwood, Southwood, and currently Wilmont Place. In his younger years he sang in the choir, was on many committees, worked on church vans and served as a deacon. He was a Christian first, but was also a hard core Baptist. After fishing and traveling for a few years after retirement, Murrel began using his love for construction for the Lord by becoming a member of Campers On Missions, working on and building churches all over the United States. He also worked on Glorietta, Falls Creek Cabins, Camp Hudgens and Camp Nunny Cha-Ha. He was also active in Okla. Baptist Disaster Relief where he would help cook and serve meals. Six years ago he became a volunteer for Southwest Medical Center in Okla. City. Until the end of October Murrel was still volunteering three days a week and had accumulated over 4000 hours of volunteer time during his six years. He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather.

He was preceded in death by: Parents: David & Della McMahan Wife: Opal McMahan Brother: J. L. McMahan Sisters: Beulah Higgins, Eulah Rogers, Ida Mason, Pearl McMahan A special Nephew that lived with them: Don Higgins

He is survived by: Three Sons: Orvis McMahan & wife Pat of Newcastle, Jim McMahan & wife Jo of Brighton, CO, David McMahan & wife Patricia of OKC; Two Daughters: Martyne Noland & husband Herb of Geronimo, Sue McMahan of OKC; Six Grandchildren: Gale Wilson and husband Tim of Goldsby, Tammy McMahan of Longmont, CO, Liz Melton and husband Jim of OKC, Kathy Black and husband Cory of Newcastle, Michael McMahan and wife Richelle of OKC, Samuel Noland of San Diego, California; Nine Great Grandchildren Taylor Thurmond and husband Nick of Austin, TX, Kale, Morgan and McKenzie Melton of OKC, Collin Black of Newcastle, Abigail Wilson of Goldsby, Chloe Black of Newcastle, Micah and Chris McMahan of OKC; 2 Great Great Grandchildren: Oliver and Eleanor Thurmond of Austin, TX; And many other loving relatives and friends

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Wilmont Place Baptist Church in Okla. City.

Burial will be at Dibble Cemetery, Dibble, OK. Arrangements are by Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Newcastle, 3132 Tri City Ave. Newcastle. OK. 387-2243.

Family will receive visitors Tuesday evening from 6-8 PM at the funeral home. Send online condolences @wilsonlittle.com Memorials may be made to the Falls Creek Centennial Campaign.