Robert Luther Flurry Jr.

FLURRY Robert Luther Flurry, Jr., passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, September 3, 2008, after a 25 year struggle with Parkinson's Disease, whose relentless progress he faced with unfailing dignity and gentleness. Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to educators R. Luther Flurry and Myrtis Denson Flurry, Dr. Flurry graduated from Pascagoula High School, attended Mississippi Southern University (USM), and after serving in the U.S. Navy received his B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Emory University, and completed post-doctoral studies at Illinois Institute of Technology. Dr. Flurry belonged to Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church. Dr. Flurry was a member of the Founders Club at the University of New Orleans, where he taught for 29 years, served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and was a Professor Emeritus of Chemistry. He authored three higher education texts and numerous articles on quantum chemistry and group theory. During the course of his professional career he presented papers at universities around the world, imparting knowledge to his technical audiences and molding lifelong memories for his family who accompanied him on these travels. He took a sabbatical at the Mathematical Institute at Oxford, England and was a visiting professor at Dartmouth College. Dr. Flurry touched students, friends, and family through word and deed, with his gentle, humanitarian ways and love of learning. Dr. Flurry's profession was chemistry, but his avocation was music. He played the string bass with the Pensacola Symphony and various string quartets, was a musician in the Navy, and played the tuba with the New Orleans Concert Band. He directed several church choirs in Decatur, Georgia, and New Orleans, including St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Gentilly Christian Church, and Claiborne Presbyterian Church. He composed anthems and organ works for these and other choirs. After his diagnosis with early onset Parkinson's Dr. Flurry took early retirement, traveled extensively with his wife, and became an active French Quarter citizen. The Flurrys renovated two Quarter homes, one of which received an award for historic preservation. In memory of his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Flurry established the Luther and Myrtis Flurry Scholarship at USM for students interested in teaching in rural Mississippi. Dr. Flurry provided community leadership on the boards of various United Methodist churches, including First United Methodist Church in New Orleans. A devoted dog owner, he also served as president of the Doberman Pinscher Club of Louisiana. Dr. Flurry will be deeply missed by his wife of 51 years and loving caregiver Francella Sever Flurry; his sister Birdie Flurry Powell of San Antonio, TX; his children Lillian Myrtis Flurry of Houston, TX, Robert Luther Flurry, III and wife Jarmila Packard of Montclair NJ, Henry Sever Flurry and wife Maria Vomlehn Flurry of Prescott, AZ, and Philip Edwin Flurry of New Orleans, who worked tirelessly to make his father's last years as comfortable as possible; and grandchildren Virginia Lillian and Thea Jarmila Flurry of Montclair and Anna Francella and Nathaniel Adam Flurry of Prescott. Dr. Flurry's family expresses its sincere appreciation to faithful caregivers and helpers Stacy Garner, Regina Reed, and Lucille Garner; to neurologist Dr. J. Rao who provided over 20 years of support; to the Elder family of Baton Rouge who provided a safe and loving haven in the recent storm; and to St. Joseph's Hospice, Baton Rouge. Visitation is Monday, September 8, 2008, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home (5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.). Additional visitation will be available at Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church (3900 St. Charles Ave.) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, Rev. Carol Winn Crawford officiating. Interment is at Lake Lawn Park Cemetery. Gifts noting "Memorial for Robert L. Flurry" may be sent to either: - American Parkinson's Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 - The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation-Fund 0897, 118 College Drive, #10026 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001