Michael Kenneth McMurray

Michael Kenneth McMurray, 82, passed away at home peacefully on December 15, 2025, in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Born on May 18, 1943, in Waterloo, Iowa, Michael was the eldest of 5 children and often spoke fondly of his years there. His family relocated to Lake Forest, Illinois in 1955.

Michael graduated from Lake Forest High School in 1961 and soon after answered the call to serve his country. From 1963 to 1967, he served honorably in the United States Air Force as part of the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron as an electrical engineer. His assignments took him to Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio and Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota during a pivotal time in American military history.

Following his military service, Michael embarked on a remarkable career at the Chicago Board of Trade. Over the course of 58 years, he was well respected as a renown spread trader in the grain markets. His longevity and success were testaments to his intelligence, perseverance, and deep understanding of the markets, as well as an ongoing respect for the farming community in which he was raised.

In 1970, he married Susan Lux McMurray and raised 4 children in Lake Bluff, Illinois, while summering in Harbor Springs, Michigan. In both communities he was very socially active and club oriented, establishing enduring friendships that created many wonderful memories. They were married for 33 years before their amicable separation.

In 2003, Michael met and married his beloved Jenny, Jennifer Squires McMurray. They shared 21 years of loving marriage together that continued until his final breath. Their adventurous lifestyle centered on their children and grandchildren, spending time at various homes they maintained for tradition, recreation and making lasting family memories. Mike and Jenny are remembered as a generous and loving couple revered in the communities of northern Michigan, Phelps, Wisconsin, Tucson, Arizona, Naples, Florida and Lake Bluff, Illinois.

Michael was known by those around him as kind-hearted, loving, incredibly generous, smart, and funny. His charisma and wit left lasting impressions and combined with his tenacity opened up unimaginable opportunity. His humility was not diminished by his success, and his generosity extended far beyond his immediate family and friends. He donated regularly to charities including hospitals, open lands, churches, or wherever he thought he could make a difference.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jennifer Squires McMurray; his children: Michael McMurray (and grandchildren Sophia and Felix), Kathleen Grace Davis (and grandchildren Ava, Everett, and Vivienne), Daniel Scott McMurray, and Patrick Sean McMurray (Caitlin) with grandchildren Aidan, Abigael, and Ellis; as well as stepdaughters Allison and Jessica Hoffman. He is also remembered by his sister Patricia (Uri B.) Grannis and brother David McMurray.

Michael was preceded in death by his mother Olga "Gegee" Nottger; father Kenneth McMurray; and brothers Timothy and Thomas McMurray.

A Memorial Service, with musical accompaniment, will be held at Gorton Center in the Hughes Theatre with a reception to immediately follow in the Stuart Room on January 23, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 02:00 PM located at 400 E Illinois Road.

For our Michigan friends, we will organize an evening of remembrance and storytelling later this summer on L'arbre Croche beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to The Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org), Little Traverse Conservancy (https://landtrust.org) or WXPR Public Radio, Rhinelander, WI (https://www.wxpr.org).