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Val MacMurray Obituary
Val Dan MacMurray, 71 of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away on Sunday morning August 18, 2013, from Pancreatic cancer in his home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 19th, of 1942, to Frederick Gifford MacMurray and Afton Lillian Nut MacMurray. Siblings: Twin sister, Carole and older brother, Keith (deceased).
Val married Maryann Olsen on May 26th, 1966 in the Salt Lake Temple in Utah. Val received a BS, (1967) and MS (1969) in sociology and social psychology from Brigham Young University, Provo Utah. In 1973 Val was awarded a four year national institute fellowship, Boston University/Harvard, Boston MA. Val was raised in Van Nuys California. From 1961-1963 Val served as LDS mission in Western Canada. During the years of his pursuit of higher education, he lived in Provo Utah and Boston MA. Val and his family moved to Calgary, Alberta Canada where he worked for School of Medicine. In Calgary he served twice as a bishop in the LDS church. In 1979 to 1982 Val was employed with the welfare department at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City Utah.
He was a licensed marriage and family therapist. He worked as an executive director and consulted for various agencies that included extensive world travel. He was also an associate professor and author of several books and papers. He was generous, intelligent, unconditional friend to all who knew him. He enjoyed hand ball and ran a St. George marathon.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverview Ward located at 5200 South 700 West, Murray, Utah.
Preceding the funeral services a viewing will be held Friday August 23, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday at 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.premierfuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Val MacMurray
Stephanie Carr
September 11, 2025
I remember being in Val´s home as a teenager, and I observed how loving he was with his children...what has always stood out is that he kissed his son goodbye. Back then it was not common to fathers show affection in front of others. Made an impression all these years later.
Stephanie Flemming Carr
March 6, 2025
Thought I would Google Val And I found this. I was a child when I met Val in Calgary Alberta. He made a big impression on my life. I remember when all the young women from Calgary came down for conference. We stayed at the MacMurray house. I remember one of our last days there we had a little get together and one of the stories was centered around Bette Midler song the Rose. Just remember in the winter for beneath the bitter snow Lise seed that with the sun´s love in the spring becomes the rose. The words of that song return to represent God, & his son Jesus Christ in our lives. And though that was so long ago, more than 40 years that weekend left an impression. Val MacMurray I´m glad you were part of my childhood.
Stephanie Flemming Carr (Bernice)
Ann Laemmlen Lewis
August 26, 2013
http://annlaemmlenlewis.wordpress.com/2013/08/24/in-memory-of-val-dan-macmurray/
Val was dear to me. Nice to see you and your family Saturday.
Heather Peterson
August 23, 2013
Maryann want to let you know I love ya! I am so sorry for your loss. I know Val will be around in spirit. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Luv Heather Bunny
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August 23, 2013
Maryann and offspring: Connie and I were deeply saddened to learn of Val's passing, especially when it went so quickly at the end. We have many fond memories of you and Val (even took your bed from off the curb when you left Boston!) I have fond memories of assisting Val in our high council assignments in Boston, filling in as his assistant in providing social services to church members in an area where the church had not established its own service. We did indeed understand each other. We appreciate the help Val gave one of our sons, his bringing order out of chaos at our business office, the welcoming party you hosted when we moved to SLC and the great!
Our love and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Jim and Connie
August 23, 2013
Dear Maryann and Family,Chase and I were saddened to hear of Val's passing. We were reminded of happy days in Boston. Val did great professional work and is lpved by so many.
Our condolences and love. Chase and Grethe Peterson
Linda & Jack Newell
August 22, 2013
Our hearts go out to you and your children, Maryann. We feel your loss and hope that the memories you have of Val will bring comfort to you. We will be out of town on Saturday, but please know that we are with you in spirit.
Maureen / Maura Beecher
August 22, 2013
Maryann, we have so long been out of view physically, but you have never been out of my mind. Little things: Pilgrimage; Retrenchment; memories of Edmonton, where we never lived at the same time, but shared friends; and sitting in your living room and just talking. I wish I were closer now; it would be good to pick up where we left off, sharing the recent moments of our lives. Please know of my thoughts winging to you from Ottawa, and feel my caring and concern.
August 22, 2013
Dr. Val, It was a great privilege to work for and learn from you. The adventure has shaped my life and seeing you recently (hearing you voice across the room) was enough to know it was you, a man I will never forget. May you enjoy the next phase of your journey and may the spirit and knowledge of the Plan be with your family. May they all remember you with much fondness and love.
Kindest regards,
Brinedette (Mitchell) Howick
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