Norris Martin Murdock, 86 passed away peacefully at his home in Inkom, Idaho on July 9, 2010. Norris was born at his parent’s home near Driggs Idaho, August 12, 1923. He was the 6th and last child born to Albert and Ellen Berger Murdock. He attended school at Driggs and Bates Idaho. He worked as a sheepherder and for farmers in the Teton Valley. He also worked for his sister in a grocery store in Pocatello, Idaho. When he was about 17, he and a friend, Ross Pieper drove to Bremerton, Washington. He was a Topman chimney construction worker for businesses throughout the United States working on smokestacks.
He was a decorated World War II Army Veteran. He served as a machine gunner on the front line with the 11th Armored Division in the European Theatre. He also ran the mess hall in the 4th Armored Division after the war ended, which prompted him to run a café in Driggs, Idaho for a short time. He worked as a salesman selling men’s clothing in C.C. Andersons in Idaho Falls. He later moved to Inkom and bought a berry farm. He milked 10 head of cows and ran 150 head of sheep. He also had pigs, chickens, horses and Shetland ponies.
Norris worked for the Pacific Fruit Express in the mailroom, laborer and Carmen and after 32 years retired. He was still farming, raising hay, a few cows and horses with his son Kent and grandsons.
Norris married Merle Josephson March 14, 1943 in Long Beach, California. They were blessed with 5 children. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple July 6, 1962.
Norris was a member of the LDS Church where he served as a home teacher, Elders Quorum presidency, dance director, and several other callings.
He loved square dancing and the friendships that he made there. He received special recognition from the Choo Choo Square Dance Club, for more than 60 years of dancing in 2009, which he cherished. He seldom missed a dance here and then in 1984 he became a Snowbird and traveled to Arizona to dance in the wintertime. He was honored to have his oldest grandson be a square dance caller
He married Doris Butler Mikesell, October 12, 1988 in the Denver Colorado LDS Temple. They served in the Missouri St. Louis Mission from 1990 to 1991. Norris was fortunate enough to have two lovely partners in his lifetime.
His hobbies included square dancing, hunting, camping, fishing and gardening.
Survivors include his loving wife Doris of Inkom; two sons, Norris Kent (Charmain) serving in the California Carlsbad Mission and Kerry Dean (Lill) of Clarkston, Washington; three daughters, Vickey Lee (Brent) Abbott of Swan Lake, Idaho; Darla Rae (Rod) Thompson of Inkom and Debbie Ann Clayton of Palmdale, California; 19 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren; one stepdaughter, Jeanette (Ted) Bastian of Burns, Wyoming; two stepsons; Steven Mikesell of Laramie, Wyoming and Joe (Sharon) Mikesell of Carpenter, Wyoming; 6 step-grandchildren and 11 step great-grandchildren.
Norris was preceded in death by his first wife, Merle; his parents; two sisters, Orva and Venice; three brothers, Lorin, Russell and Silvon; and one great-grandchild, Kendon Abbott Jones.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 15 at the Inkom LDS Ward Chapel with Bishop Jeff Wright officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 14 at the Inkom LDS Church and from 9:30 a.m. to time of service. Burial will be in the Inkom Cemetery. Military Rights will be performed.
If friends so desire memorial contributions may be sent to a charity of their choice.