Roger McMurry

Roger McMurry, age 87, a widely loved minister and woodworker, passed away on December 23, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. 

He was born in Wayne County, Iowa, on August 30, 1938, to Ernie and Opal (Smith) McMurry. Growing up on a productive Iowa farm instilled in him a love for farming and the outdoors. He had fond memories of his mother taking him fishing for bullheads in a little creek on their farm. He had a passion for building and creating things from an early age. He was famously known within his family for building a canoe out of orange crates. The canoe hangs in the barn to this day. During his high school years, he was active in FFA and 4-H. Upon graduating from Corydon High School in 1956, he enrolled in Iowa State University to prepare for a life of farming, but sensing a call to ministry, he transferred to York Christian College.

In 1957, he married his high school girlfriend, Elzan Vincent. In 1958, Patrick was born in York, Nebraska, and in 1960, the family moved to Abilene, Texas. Roger graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1962 with a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies. Laura was born the same month. He began his first full-time church work in Des Moines, Iowa, where Maurice was born in 1963. A few years were spent in Iowa City, Iowa, where he continued his theological education at the University of Iowa and preached for a local church. Andy was born in 1968 in Iowa City. The family moved to Columbia, Missouri, in 1969. After a year serving as a campus minister, he left full-time church work to begin a long career in woodworking, but this did not stop his heart for ministry. The Jesus Movement was at its height in the 1970s, which brought many new Christians to the colleges in Columbia. Roger and Elzan opened their home on the edge of the MU campus for Bible studies and fellowship. A small house church grew out of these Sunday night meetings that continued to meet for several years. Chara was born in 1971 at Boone Hospital. A larger city-wide fellowship had its roots during this time. He was one of the founding members of the House of The Lord Ministries, which during the 1990s and 2000s hosted several ecumenical events, including city-wide worship services, pastors’ prayer summits, and several March for Jesus celebrations.

 In 1979, the family moved to Howard County, where he continued his cabinet business and became a farmer again, having a dairy for several years. But again, the move didn’t stop his ministry. He performed many funerals and weddings for his Howard County neighbors. He also preached for two local churches, Boonsboro Christian and New Franklin Christian, and in 2013 became pastor of the Boonville Christian Church until his retirement in 2021, at the age of 82. 

Roger’s passion for fishing never left. He made several fishing trips to Canada with a group of friends who affectionately called him “cool dog.” He was already talking about his next trip in the spring. His creative talents never left either. He designed and built his and Elzan’s caskets and made intricate lamps as gifts for his family, which are reproductions of a lamp he made in high school shop class. He was an avid reader, especially enjoying naval and theological books.

Roger was preceded in death by his brothers Ron, Kay, and Rex. He is survived by his wife, Elzan, and their five children: Patrick McMurry (Monica Phillippe McMurry), Laura McMurry (former Udinyiwe), Maurice McMurry (Doreen Kee McMurry), Andy McMurry (Desiree Phillippe-McMurry), Chara McMurry Kee (Dana Kee), and a foster daughter, Jenine Mathison. They have 19 grandchildren: Lindsay McMurry Yungbluth (Dennis Yungbluth), Caitlyn McMurry Williams (Kyle Williams), Rex McMurry (Anne Wells), Caleb McMurry (Britney Stutz), Isaac McMurry (Katie Jardine), Anna McMurry Jayamanne (“AJ” Jayamanne), Aaron McMurry (Nishia Nieves), Euen McMurry (Lauren Petterson-McMurry), Josiah Kee, Fiona McMurry (Jared Poindexter), Philip Udinyiwe, Joshua Udinyiwe, Sam McMurry (Kaitlin Osbourne), Noah Kee, Meara McMurry, Timothy Kee, Sarah McMurry, Joanne Kee, and Kevin McMurry; and eight great-grandchildren: Ana, Jonathan, Levi and Jacob Williams, Jocelyn and Isabelle Jayamanne, Emory McMurry, and Juelz Hughes. 

Roger was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025. Visitation will be 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Boonville First Christian Church. A memorial service honoring the life of Roger McMurry will follow at 11 a.m. at the church, with Rev. Nick Larson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Boonville First Christian Church, or your local church or favorite charity.