James William Murry

James “Jim” Murry, 70, passed from this life on Monday, February 26, 2024 in Round Rock, Texas. He was born to the late Robert E. Murry and Carolyn Cunningham Murry on January 31, 1954 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Jim graduated from Bishop Byrne High School of Memphis, Tennessee, in 1972. He went on to attend the University of Central Arkansas where he received a Bachelor and Master’s Degree of Health Education as well as his Physical Therapy degree. He was the beloved center of the UCA Bears football team and member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Passionate about his vocation, Jim received great joy and satisfaction in helping his patients heal and recover through his work at East Arkansas Physical Therapy, a business he founded with one of his lifelong friends. He (reluctantly) retired from full-time work in 2015, though he continued to practice part-time throughout the years that followed.

Jim was an avid golfer, whose ability to keep scores at the Purple Circle golf tournaments has been described as “legendary.” In addition, he enjoyed hunting and socializing with his many friends, near and far, who lovingly referred to him by a plethora of nicknames including Moo Moo, Fatbaby, and Whammer.

Above all, he deeply loved his family and his Catholic faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Estelle Meiers and husband, Louie; brothers, Tom and Richard Murry; son, Danny Crowder, and son-in-law, Phillip Merritt.

Jim is survived by his wife of 32 years, Marie Murry; son, Scott Murry; daughter, Katie Wilson and husband, Mike; daughter, Dana Merritt; brother, Robert Murry and wife, Nita; and sister, Mary “Beth” Traxler and husband, Troy. He was the proud and loving “Poppie” of 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, and dear uncle to a host of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Forrest City, Arkansas, on Saturday, March 9 at 10:00am. A celebration of life will follow at the Forrest City Country Club at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in his memory to the UCA Bears Athletic Scholarship Fund: http://uca.edu/go/BearsAthleticsScholarshipFund.