Bertie Lawrence “Bo” McMurrough was born April 13, 1925 (age 97) in Bedias, Texas to parents Frank Greenwood and Minnie Lorene (Montgomery) McMurrough. He was raised with four brothers and five sisters on various farms in the Madisonville area. He was baptized at a country tent revival around twelve years of age. Bo had many stories of picking cotton and farming. At the age of seventeen, he left the country life and moved to Houston to work and send money to his family back home. Some of those early jobs included construction operating engineer (hoisting), parking cars for a car lot in downtown Houston and hanging sheetrock. When the U.S. Army called him for service, he was rejected due to a spider bite
wound he suffered as a child that almost resulted in amputation. He was told he would not be able to handle the heavy backpacks and training with such a weak leg. As a result of wanting to serve in some capacity to help with the war effort, he went to work for Dickson Gun Plant where large cast gun tubes were made for the Army. After 30 years, Bo retired from Armco Steel, having achieved his goal of becoming a crane operator.
In 1949, he married Francis (Bonnie) Phillips of Bedias, and they had Danny, Rita and Paula.They resided in Channelview for many years. In 1993, he and Willow Mae Price were married and resided in Houston. In his final years, he resided in Bryan.
Bo enjoyed fishing, watching football and western movies (especially starring John Wayne), fiddling and blue grass music, vegetable and flower gardening and old cars and trucks. He would witness to anyone if he felt they needed to hear the gospel. He loved being with family and especially family reunions. In 2000, he and his son, Danny, traveled to Ireland to visit the country from which his grandfather emigrated.
Bo was a member of First Baptist Church Channelview and later Market Street Baptist Church where he served as Deacon Emeritus. He was a member of Galena Park Lodge #1290 for over 65 years.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers Franklin, Bill, John and James and sisters Leona, Agnes, Patsy, Pearl and Margaret. His previous wife Bonnie and wife Willow Mae. He is survived by his son Daniel “Dan” McMurrough of Austin, daughters Rita Kelly of Euless and Paula Osborne (Rick) of College Station. Daughter-in-law Amy McMurrough. Granddaughters Erin Grosskopf (Eric), Shelby Rittman, Leanne Osborne and Emily Osborne. Great grandchildren Archer and Wesley Grosskopf, Addie and Natalie Rittman. He is preceded in death and survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the McMurrough family.
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