Norman Murrell

July 22, 1934 - February 9, 2018

Norman Eugene Murrell passed away February 9, 2018. He was born in Cushing, Oklahoma on July 22, 1934 to Ira and Opal Murrell.

The family moved to Bakersfield, California in 1942, where Norm graduated from East Bakersfield High School and Bakersfield College. He played sports and was in plays such as "Madam Butterfly" and "The Front Page."  He also enjoyed singing with the Barbershop Quartet Association. 

Norm married Elizabeth (Libby) King in 1957. He is survived by Libby; two children, Mitchell (Pat) and Mary Kim Murrell; two grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and his brother, Jim Murrell.

At Fresno State he earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in teaching and arts. After returning to Bakersfield, he taught school for Bakersfield City Schools for five years.

In 1964 Norm had the opportunity to teach school for the Arabian American Oil company in Saudi Arabia. He jumped at the chance and the family moved to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

After eight years with the Dhahran Schools, Norm joined Industrial Relations. In 1974 he transferred as a recruiting advisor to Aramco Services Company in Houston, Texas, where he helped establish an orientation program that served more than 2,400 people over the next few years. 

The Murrells returned to Dhahran in 1978 and Norm retired as a planning and programs analyst with Exploration in 1986. Norm was also active in the theater group, singing and dancing in "Oklahoma," "South Pacific," "The Makado" plus "Taming of the Shrew," "Never Too Late," "How the Other Half Loves," and many others.

The family made many camping trips visiting the Bedouins and seeing the ancient sights while in Saudi Arabia. Traveling was their passion as they visited 55 different countries. For many years Norm talked to schools and organizations about Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

When the family returned to Houston, he taught for seven years in the Klein School District. In 1996 Norm and Libby decided to return to California and ran their Sierrahouse Bed and Breakfast in Mariposa for several years.

In Mariposa he was active in Rotary. He was a member of the Board of Directors for several years, club secretary and in charge of the Cog Club. He was also on the Board of Directors and President of the Mariposa County School Foundation. Norm was also a charter member of the "Old Duffers Golf Group."

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be missed by his relatives and many friends. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at the Masonic Hall in Mariposa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mariposa Yosemite Rotary, or the Mariposa County School Foundation.