Keith Sturgill Murray Sr.

FUNERAL HOME

Kutis Funeral Home, Inc, St. Louis City Chapel

2906 Gravois Avenue

Saint Louis, Missouri

Keith Murray Obituary

Murray Sr., Keith Sturgill of St. Louis, on Friday, September 17, 2010 at the age of 84. Survived by wife, Georgianna Eleanor (nee Vogt) and children, Patricia (Ronald) Gibbs, Keith (Ronald Busher), Patrick, Kathleen (Brian) O'Neill and Thomas Murray; grandfather of Matthew and Jessica Gibbs, Daniel and Joseph O'Neill; brother-in-law of George Vogt; uncle, cousin and friend; preceded in death by parents, Martha Sturgill Murray Geimer and Wilson M. Murray and siblings, Thelma Beatrice, Opal, Wilma, Marietta, Maurice and Wilson Howard. Services: Funeral from KUTIS CITY CHAPEL, 2906 Gravois on Thursday, September 23 at 10 a.m. Interment at J.B. National Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday from 3-9 p.m.

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Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Sep. 20, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Keith Murray

3 Entries

Jerri Smith

September 21, 2010

Eleanor, so sorry to hear about Keith's passing. Patricia, Keith, Patrick, Kathleen and Thomas, we are so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Jerri, Jeff, Kathy and Kim

September 21, 2010

Keith Sturgill Murray died September 17, 2010, at Beauvais Manor on the Park, St. Louis, Missouri, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He was 84 years of age.

Keith was born December 16, 1925, in Old Success, Texas County, Missouri, the youngest child of parents Martha Malinda Sturgill (later married to Leo Geimer) and Wilson Mack Murray. His brothers and sisters were Thelma Beatrice, Opal, Wilma, Marietta (who died in childhood), Maurice and Wilson Howard. The family moved to South St. Louis around 1928, although Keith felt closely connected to Texas County and his family there for the rest of his life. He counted his memories of summers spent in the country and with the Meyer family in Franklin County as the happiest of his early life. He also loved sports, especially baseball, maintaining a lifelong friendship with his grade school teammates.

As soon as he turned 17 in 1942, Keith left McKinley High School to enlist in the Navy. He saw active duty in the Pacific in World War II. He was most proud of his service on the USS Maryland, which received seven battle stars for World War II service. He required many weeks of recuperation in Hawaii after an injury at his post. Returning to the ship he learned that his replacement had been killed in a kamikaze attack while at his station.

On leaving the service he returned to St. Louis, eventually working at the J.C. Penney Warehouse downtown. There he met Georgianna Eleanor Vogt, daughter of Fred and Anna Vogt (nee Rohde) of South St. Louis. He quickly told her they would never marry because of the difference in their backgrounds. They were married November 22, 1952, at St. Thomas of Aquinas Catholic Church by Monsignor Thomas Woods. Keith later converted to Catholicism, and their son, Thomas, was named for the monsignor, who became a good friend and strong influence.

Keith and Georgianna welcomed twins Patricia and Keith Sturgill in 1954, son Patrick in 1955, daughter Kathleen in 1957, and son Thomas in 1968. The family moved in 1960 to a large house in the Tower Grove East neighborhood, shared with Georgianna’s mother.

Keith began working for Monsanto in 1954, and remained at the Carondelet Plant until retiring in 1988. A highlight of his career with the company was time spent in San Jose dos Campos, Brazil, assisting with a phosphoric acid manufacturing plant start-up there.

After his retirement, Keith and Georgianna enjoyed traveling together and spending time with their young grandchildren, Matthew and Jessica (children of Patricia and Ronald Gibbs) and Daniel and Joseph (children of Kathleen and Brian O’Neill). Keith enjoyed hunting and fishing, golf, bowling, Civil War history, genealogy, gardening, yard sales, wood working, and baking. He traveled in England with his oldest son. He and his wife continued to vacation with their family every year in Texas County, as they had done for more than 50 years.

After undergoing coronary bypass surgery, he volunteered at Missouri Baptist Hospital, working with fellow heart patients. He was a devoted friend, always ready to give his time to help others. Keith faced his increasing health challenges with stoicism and patience, never complaining despite pain and disability. He maintained a sense of humor and a gentlemanly grace even at the end.

Keith’s funeral services were arranged by Kutis Funeral Home Gravois, with burial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

His time at Beauvais Manor was made easier by the quality of care he received. The family is grateful to the staff there, and to the staff at St. Louis University Hospital.