Marion John Mcmurtrey

Marion John “Dr Mac” McMurtrey MD FACS, 91, of Idaho Falls, Idaho passed away Sunday, August 12, 2018 at the Lincoln Court Assisted Living.

Marion was born December 5, 1926 in Garfield, Idaho, the son of Thomas Marion McMurtrey and Olive LaVina Smith McMurtrey. He attended schools in Rigby and graduated from Rigby High School.  He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a Radar Man 3 ^rd Class.  Following his service, he returned to Idaho and worked as a chemist at the Idaho National Laboratory.

Marion graduated with honors in Chemistry from Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. He earned his Medical Degree from Johns Hopkins Medical School.  He was a member of the American College of Surgeons and International College of Surgeons.  He was a full professor of Thoracic Surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

On June 22, 1949, Marion married Jean LaRae Merrill in Idaho Falls, Idaho at the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He is survived by his wife Jean.  His children Alan Robert (Jane) McMurtrey of South Jordan, Utah, Wanda Jean Hill of Houston, Texas, and Thomas Marion (Collette) McMurtrey of Anchorage, Alaska.  Thirty-two grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.  A sister Rhea Evans of Layton, Utah and brothers, Keith (Deborah) McMurtrey of Pahrump, Nevada and Roger Kay (Cathy) McMurtrey of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his parents, twin brothers; Mark and Max, a sister, Helen four daughters; Christine, Michelle, Mary Jo, and Jan.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, August 16, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the Eckersell Memorial Chapel (101 West Main Street, Rigby, Idaho). The family will meet with friends prior to the service at Eckersell’s from 9:30 to 10:45 AM.  Interment will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery.  Condolences may be shared with the family at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.