On June 25, 2024, at the ripe old age of 93, Bobby Eugene (Bob) McMurtry, also, lovingly  known as Papa Murtry, took the hand of Jesus, walked over and climbed up on his old, red  Massey Ferguson tractor, after he jump-started it with a screwdriver, listened, and said," Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound!… I think we should plant sorghum right over there!"

Bobby Eugene was born to Thomas Sherman and Nellie McMurtry, on November 24, 1930, in  Davenport, Oklahoma. But, he told his girls, as they drove past the old home place on 66, that  he was born in that pigpen over there on that hill. He loved a good laugh and making them  wonder. Another story he loved to tell was about his personal angel. Well, in a farming family,  the kids often worked alongside Mom and Dad, and Bobby, as a little tyke, quickly tired and  would often fall asleep in the field. However, the next morning he would wake up in his own  bed. So, in his mind, it had to be an angel that took him home. He was a positive thinker from  an early age and got out of a lot of work! As a kid, Bobby moved several times and fell behind  in primary school. However, he was quite proud of being held back and always said, "I was  smart…just needed more time and I really liked my new teacher!" And this was the attitude he  carried throughout life.

Bob graduated from Chandler High School, married his high school sweetheart, Bessie  Stewart, and to this union were born two daughters, Janet Sue and Marsha Ann. The family set  roots in Bristow, in the early 50's. Bob operated the Gibble Gas Service Station and sold used  cars on the corner of 4th and Main. He was a jack of all trades, owned and operated many  businesses, from having the first car wash in Bristow to building fiberglass boats, making and  installing septic tanks to installing water well pumps. He purchased Glen Acres and developed  it into a beautiful housing addition. One of his former employees and lifetime friend described  Bob best when he said,

"Bob could laugh at people's mistakes without making it a personal insult to the people making  them. He could find something good or positive about anything seemingly bad without placing  blame or giving credit to either side of an argument. Once wronged, he would not seek revenge

or hold a grudge, but the person who had wronged him would never be the same in his eyes,  making the loss of Bob's trust or friendship something very valuable to anybody who ever really  considered such things to be of value."

He went on to say, "One of very few people I've ever met that has all the good qualities…  integrity, resourcefulness, compassion, humor, balanced temperament…but never deceitful,  corrupt, arrogant, shallow, or one to take unfair advantage of anyone or anything that might be  vulnerable to a situation or circumstance that could be harmful in any way." Joe Weaver sure  knew Bob.

Time moved on and so did Bob. He later married Vergie Moody. They bought a farm, settled in  their new home, and welcomed more grandchildren. The kids loved the farm and Papa Murtry  was more that happy to have them visit. He built a paradise in which they could fish, swim,  hunt, camp, and just be kids. His Coca Cola room was the best, as the kids loved all his goofy  stuff and home made signs. Bob's hobbies consisted of taking pictures and making his own  cards for special events, and it was always amusing when birthdays came around because  Bob's cards were hilarious with a touch of corny. His sense of humor was spot on! He, also,  enjoyed woodworking and built his own furniture. However, his favorite pastime was fishing.  As he aged, that was something he and his grandsons and great grandkids could do, and it  brought him much joy because he always caught most of the fish!

Family was extremely important to Bob. As time went on, he and his brothers, Bruce and  Leonard decided it would be fun to buy a sorghum mill and have a sorghum festival. It was a hit  and has continued for over 40 years. Family and friends gather on a Sunday in the fall and  enjoy a day of sorghum making, eating great food, listening to music, hayrides, and visiting

with relatives and friends. It was their way of keeping the extended family together, something  very important to all three McMurtry boys.

Bob will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his daughters, Janet Wilson  and husband Mike, Marsha Jones and Mike Jones, grandchildren; Justin Jones and wife  Brooke, Paul Biggs and wife Ashley, Sarah Pinson and husband Brian,Ty Biggs and wife  Lindsey, Hilary Jones, Kale Biggs and wife Caci, Jordyn Robinson and husband Braden, great  grandchildren, Elliott and Cohen Jones, Talyn and Huntley Biggs, Brynlee and Graham Pinson,  Chanly and Saylor Biggs, Kolsen and Kanyon Biggs, and Quinn and Callahan Robinson, bonus  granddaughter, Makayla Wilson, and brother, Leonard McMurtry and wife Anne. He was  preceded in death by his daughters's mother, Bessie McMurtry Falmo, and wife Vergie, sisters  Lois Jacobs, and Juanita Stidham, brother Bruce McMurtry, parents Thomas Sherman and  Nellie McMurtry, and good companion, Mamie Shores.

A celebration of life will be held in the fall, at the annual McMurtry Sorghum Festival, because  …Bob said so!

Services are under the direction of Hutchins Maples Matherly Funeral Home.