Maurice Alvin Murri

Maurice A. Murri accepted his new assignment in Heaven on October 23, 2016. His journey was peaceful and painless. Maurice was born at a lady’s home in Newdale, Idaho on Feburary 2, 1932. He was the son of John Henry Murri and Luella Panter Murri. He is the seventh of nine children. He attended school in Newdale, Idaho and graduated from Sugar City High School in Sugar City, Idaho in 1950. He worked on farms that summer, and to beat the draft, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1950. The Korean War was in full swing then. He took training in Texas and was sent to Roswell, New Mexico. He met the love of his life, Idella Marie Murri, who was a neighbor to his brother’s family. After lots of letter writing and 21 dates, they married in the Idaho Falls Temple in Idaho Falls, Idaho on June 2, 1954. Idella had just graduated from high school and he took a wife back to base with him to finish a 4 year commitment. He took a discharge from the Air Force at that time and returned to Idaho. By September of 1956 he got real tired of jumping from one job to another and little pay, so he joined the Air Force again and was assigned to Sacramento, California, then to Hill Air Force Base, Utah then back to Sacramento, California. After some bouncing around he was assigned to Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany for 3 years Idella and Rodney joined him there. They were away from the base one weekend and on their return, they learned that the building of the Berlin Wall had started. Maurice was told to get in uniform and report to his duty station and that all the American Air Force Bases worldwide were on alert. It was unknown was East Germany was planning. We had some tense months, as the G.I.’s would say “While the East German’s and Russian’s were doing some saber raddling.” The wall was built and remained a sensitive issue until President Reagan said “Mr. Gorbachev tear down that wall!” Maurice helped build a chapel in Kaiserslautern, Germany and the members were delighted as they no longer had to meet in old homes with no heat or closed out business buildings that lacked the feeling of a chapel. Maurice returned state side with Idella and 4 children and was assigned to Colvis, New Mexico. Next he was assigned to Mountain Home, Idaho, then to Vietnam for a year and then back to Mountain Home Air Force Base. Finally after 20 years had passed, it was time to retire. During the 20 years he also went on short assignments of a few months at a time to other bases. He went to Illinois and helped build a chapel there, to Louisiana, and Florida for additional training. He was in Hawaii when President Kennedy was shot and serviced the plane that was transporting Secretary of State McNamara back to a safe place. Overseas he served in Thailand, The Philippines, Hawaii, and twice in Vietnam. He was also involved in The Bay of Pigs skirmish. After retirement from the Air Force and with 6 kids to raise, it was back to job hunting. He worked for Boise Cascade in West Jordan building and wiring houses until they closed the plant there. He worked at National Semi Conductor in plant maintenance for 16 years and retired again. Then he worked at Macey’s grocery store maintenance in West Jordan for a few years, and then retired again. He was an ambitious talented man and could do anything if given a few minutes to think it through. He always had to keep busy. He attended college at Salt Lake Community College and earned a degree in Business Management. He taught electrical classes at Salt Lake Community College as well. Maurice was a licensed electrician in Idaho, Utah, and New Mexico. He was an air craft electrician for the Air Force and also served as an instructor in air craft electrical. He has been an interesting man and an interested man and very busy. Maurice has been our world and we have been so blessed to have his presence in our lives. His example has been our guiding light. He took only his ditty little songs, jokes, and stories with him. Leaving behind his wife, Idella, and children, Rod (Marcie) Murri, Scott (Babette) Murri, Valarie (Nick) Sasich, Amber Murri, and Tazia (Joe) Vendetti to mourn his absence. He also has 6 granddaughters and 5 grandsons to ask “When is Poppi coming home?” as well as 9 great-grandsons and 1 great-granddaughter waiting their turn to enjoy his teasing and hugs and kisses. He loves them all and that love is returned, what a blessing! He has 2 sisters and 1 sister-in-law surviving. Preceding him in death is daughter, RaShelle Gilroy, son, Brian Murri, daughter-in-law, Tammy Murri, parents-in-law, Afton and Iola Tanner, parents, 3 brothers, and 3 sisters. Services are planned for Friday, October 28, 2016 at 1 PM at Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT 84123. With a viewing from 11-12:30 and interment to follow at South Jordan Cemetery, 10650 South 1055 West, South Jordan, UT 84095.
Service Information
Viewing October 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT 84123





Funeral Service
October 28, 2016 at 1:00 PM
6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT 84123