John D. Murrell

John "David" Murrell

John "David" Murrell was born February 8, 1941, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of John Milton Murrell and Sarah Randolph Murrell. He made his transition September 28th, 2015, after a long illness. He is preceded in death by his father, John Murrell, and Jaryd Osterhaus, a baby son of Darin and Chari Osterhaus.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his Mother, Sarah Murrell; a brother, Kenneth (Cathy) of Pensacola, Florida; a son, Marc (Candy) of Newton, Kansas; a daughter, Chari Osterhaus (Darin) of Topeka; six grandchildren: Jaryd, Dylan and Shyanne Osterhaus, Ashley, Brandon, and Cody Murrell; two nephews, Kenyan and Jackson Murrell; a niece, Kyra (Miguel) Murrell Lopez. Shirley has three children: Greg and Mike Kopf and Kimberly (Todd) Copeland; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Shirley always considered David's family hers and he did the same for hers.

David graduated from Topeka High in 1959 and later joined the U.S. Navy where he served four years as quartermaster and navigator on the U.S.S. Rogers. One of his trips was down the Macon River during the Vietnam War. He was discharged in 1963 and soon afterwards married Carol Butler and they brought Marc and Chari into this world. After their divorce he met Shirley and they have lived in the Topeka area since their marriage in 1981.

In 1969 he joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas working in Leavenworth and Manhattan, Kansas. In 1977, he moved to Topeka as manager of Kansas Group Insurance Services, the early day predecessor to Advance Insurance Company. He became agency director and then vice-president of operations in 1986. He served as President and COO until his retirement in June of 2003.

After his retirement David and Shirley enjoyed many activities, including their grandchildren's sporting events, boating and camping with the family, and traveling. During this time they built their much awaited house above Taos, New Mexico near the Carson National Forest and enjoyed it part-time until his illness made it too difficult to travel.

Some of their best times were beach combing in Mexico when they were not exploring the forest roads in their Jeep or motorcycle. Another of David's great experiences was the around the world trip he took with his brother
David will be greatly missed by his family and friends as he flies off to his next great adventure.

Memorial services will be at 4:00 PM, Monday, October 26, 2015, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka. Please join the family for refreshments and visiting in the Penwell-Gabel Family Center after the memorial services.

Memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson's Foundation, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741; American Cancer Society, 1315 SW Arrowhead Drive, Topeka, KS 66604; or Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606-2800.