Celebrating Artie’s birthday in 2011. Say cheese!

Remembering one of many fun birthday celebrations with Rich.

Remembering one happy birthday in 2015 at Gott’s Roadside in St. Helena, California.

Richard Murrell was born to English parents in Minnesota in 1920. They raised him and his two brothers, Basil and Ron, to be proper gentlemen. This training stuck with him throughout his long life. They also tried to teach him to use a knife in his left hand with the fork in the right. They were less successful with this. 

He served under George Patton in WWII in Europe. But his reminiscing of the war usually focused on how kindly his English relatives treated him when he visited on leave. He talked about this visit all his life - usually by starting with “Oh I say…” 

When Rich returned from the war, he was disappointed that donut-shaped houses and personal helicopters weren’t waiting for him. His disappointment was short lived when he met the love of his life, Artie and became the father of three children, Michael, Jean and Joan. One of my earliest memories was helping him proudly distribute Turtles chocolates to friends and neighbors on the occasion of the twin’s birth. 

He worked hard all his life at jobs including vending machine owner, accountant and postman. This allowed him to finally get a ride in a helicopter as well as a Post Office pension. He found time to take me to school functions, the YMCA, and camp. In return, I made sure he received a new pipe for Christmas. He retired relatively late to ensure that his family was secure in their lives. After retiring, he and Artie enjoyed some excellent trips around the US, Canada, Mexico, Sint Maarten and Europe. 

His favorite things included: Lake Tahoe, prime rib (the end cut), a cold beer (in an icy mug), Lincoln automobiles, the comedians Laurel and Hardy, the English singer Al Bowlly, and the song “Sabor A Mi” sung by Louis Miguel. But his true favorite thing was always his family – making sure they were all happy and moving ahead. So, we will all continue to move ahead with him in our hearts and knowing that he is in a better place. He made it to 100 years of age, but for us he will always be a 10. 


Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary

Richard Murrell

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Richard Norman Murrell

April 13, 1920 – May 27, 2020

Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary

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