John Welling Smurr

1922 - 2012

John Welling Smurr
May 6, 1922 - October 21, 2012
John Welling Smurr was a native Californian born in Sacramento to Mary Napton Smurr and Hylen Smurr on May 6th 1922.  A beloved husband and father, he died at age ninety on October 21, 2012.   Called 'Bill' by all who knew him, he married Margaret (Peggy) Clapp on August 9, 1952 in Missoula, Montana.
Originally a journalism major in college like his father, Bill changed his field of study to history.  During WWII in the U.S. Army he was a standout student in radio operations and pressed into service as an instructor, which sparked an interest in teaching, and teaching became his life's work. He graduated from the University of Montana with a B.A. in Journalism in 1950. He was a member of Sigma Nu and served as editor of the University daily paper, The Kaimin. In 1951 he received an M.A. in History.  He held a Ph.D. from Indiana University, where he was a graduate fellow.  His graduate studies included training in ancient, modern European, and American history, and in public law.  His principal areas of interest were in territorial government and comparative civilizations.  He taught at the University of Montana, at Moorhead State University in Minnesota, and for twenty years at California State University, Stanislaus before retiring. In retirement he worked on several projects, including a reexamination of Arnold J. Toynbee's theories of history, on historical preservation and on other writings. An avid cyclist and walker, he continued daily rides with his wife into his late 80's. Bill Smurr was a ceaseless reader, learner, and teacher who believed strongly in the American dream of public education and in the democratic political process.  He participated in that process in 1980 when he ran for President of the United States.  He was a wise, witty and learned man whose contributions to education and his family will be everlasting.
He was a member of the American Historical Association, the Society of Architectural Historians, and a proud member of E Clampus Vitus.
Bill is survived by his wife Peggy, his children Hylen Smurr of Boxborough, MA, Daniel Smurr of Nevada City, CA, Matthew Smurr of Charlotte, NC  and Katherine Smurr of La Crescenta, CA , his daughter-in-law Christine Smurr and son-in-law Rodric Bearden, and his four grandchildren, Cary Smurr, Lauren Smurr, Victoria Smurr, and Caroline Bearden. Bill was preceded in death by his sister Maryalice Speich, and brother Peter H. Smurr.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday October 28th at 1 pm at St. Francis Anglican Church in Turlock, 915 East Main St. A reception will follow. Burial will be private. Donations in his honor may be made to any organization that supports public education.
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