Murray Sullivan Jr.

Murray Glen Sullivan Jr passed away at home on December 29, 2025. Murray was born in Hayti, Missouri on September 6, 1934, to the late Ruby and Murray Sullivan. He was a 1953 graduate of Hayti High School. He admittedly was not a dedicated student in his early years; however, he was a successful athlete which enabled him to attend Arkansas State University on a football scholarship. There he met the love of his life Virginia Joann Sullivan. Probably with some help from Joann, he improved his academic performance and in 1957, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Arkansas State University with a major in animal husbandry and a minor in biology and chemistry.

Murray and Joann were married on September 8, 1957. Murray served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959 and was stationed in Germany where Joann joined him. They shared an apartment in Germany and explored Europe when he had time off. He then began his teaching career in Cooter, Missouri in the fall of 1959, teaching Biology and General Science. While at Cooter, he also coached basketball, baseball, and track.

In 1962, he and his wife moved to Sikeston, Missouri, where he began teaching in the Sikeston Junior High School. He taught biology, physical science, general science, chaired the science department, and coached basketball and football. Their son, Murray, was born in 1967. He also completed his Masters of Science in Education in 1967. Then, in 1968, he moved to Sikeston High School where he taught biology, advanced biology, conservation, and was assistant varsity football coach until he retired from coaching in 1982. He served as chairman of the science department from 1975 to 1998.

Murray loved his school and community. He established the Sikeston High School Science Fair where many students advanced to regional, national and even international competition. He sponsored the Biology and Conservation Clubs. He and the club members planted trees on school grounds and off campus. He developed an outdoor lab on Sikeston public school grounds where he and his students planted many species of trees and plants which became a place to study trees, plants, birds, and other wildlife.

He assisted with Red Cross blood drives by organizing blood drives within the school and encouraging students to donate. He sponsored the Optimist Oratorical contest with many students advancing to district and regional levels. He served as the head timer for SHS track meets for over fifty years and worked at home basketball games for forty years. The school honored him by placing a plaque in the Field House at the spot where he stood. He was inducted into the Sikeston High School Wall of Fame. Murray received many honors throughout his teaching career, but the greatest honor he had was seeing his students be successful in life.

Murray was a member of the First Christian Church in Sikeston where he served as a Deacon, Elder, and Chairman of the Board.

During retirement, Murray served on the United Way Board, Sikeston Board of Adjustments and the Sikeston Park Board. Murray and Joann enjoyed traveling and exploring new places together and many times with their friends.

Murray loved nature and the outdoors, and as a science teacher, he embodied what he taught. He had enduring curiosity about the world around him. He had a passion for gardening and fishing since childhood. He mainly enjoyed simply wondering and exploring God’s amazing creation. He was kind to everyone he met and never knew a stranger, striving to live by the example of love, humility, and service to others. He truly enjoyed interacting with people, loved conversations, and was truly interested and concerned about others lives. He did everything he could to help promote success in others. Murray lived life to the absolute fullest every single day and found great joy and pride in teaching, leaving a lasting impact on the many students he taught and coached. He was a lifelong fan of the Sikeston Bulldogs and Arkansas State Indians/Red Wolves, almost never missing an ASU home football game and Sikeston football and basketball games. He made countless life-long friends along the way.

As good of a man as he was, he was just as tough! He faced Parkinson’s with unwavering resolve, never complaining, and even in his later years continued to push forward, supported by his wife Joann who was his greatest coach of all. Her strength, love, and perseverance were with him every step of the way.

Murray is survived by his wife Virginia Joann Sullivan, his son Murray (Joni) Sullivan, and granddaughter Ruby, all of Sikeston. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Sue McKay of Hayti, Missouri.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January, 4, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 3:30 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Sikeston with Pastor Jason Williams of Sikeston officiating.

A private family burial will be held Monday, January, 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Sikeston Public School Foundation in honor of Murray to support the SPS Murray Sullivan Grow Your Own Teacher Scholarship. Donations can also be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation or The Nature Conservancy.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated care team who lovingly cared for Mr. Sullivan and made it possible for him to remain in his home during his final months. The family would also like to thank Crowne Hospice for the care they provided in his final days. Special thanks are also extended to the many church ladies who provided meals and support. A special note of gratitude is given to their neighbor and close friend, Jeff, who faithfully brought meals, as well as to the many longtime friends who continued to visit and provide companionship.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com for the Sullivan family.