Philip Murrell
December 18, 2010
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Service Details
Philip Murrell, 67, passed away unexpectedly December 18, 2010, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Philip was born November 5, 1943, to Ilene and Orbah Murrell of Winterset, Iowa. He was an art teacher from 1966 to 2000, named Art Educator of the Year in 1989.
He was married to Paula Zimmerman on August 6, 1966. He is survived by daughters Nicole (Scott) Meyer and Tiffany (Kevin) Cooper; his partner Steve Curtis; five grandchildren; and his aunt Shirley Ford.
Visitation will be 12 to 7 p.m. with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, December 20, 2010, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines. The Funeral Service will take place 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 21, 2010, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Kate Garst
01/20/2012
Dear Paula, Tiffany, Nicole, and Steve: It has been over a year since Phil's death, and many years more than that since I last saw him alive. Nevertheless, I continue to think about him frequently, as I have throughout most of my life. Phil was a great teacher, and as a mentor he inspired and challenged me to be a better person. We students were very lucky to have him at Coon Rapids High School. I know my sisters and I have always felt honored and blessed by his friendship and love.
As a teenager, I looked at the obvious love and joy that Phil and Paula took in each other, and in their family. I recall very consciously choosing them as a role model for a good marriage. Even though their relationship played out very differently than I ever could have imagined at the time(!), my opinion still has not changed. Phil and Paula are excellent role models for the qualities it takes for a good relationship and a great family. I am happy also for all the good years that Phil and Steve were able to share.
I have been pondering since Phil's death about what memorium I could make that would have really respect and reflect the many facets of Phil's life and loves. Ultimately, I have decided to make a memorial donation to the Iowa Pride Network, which advocates for the well-being of LGBT youth in Iowa schools.
Please know you are in my heart. Kate
Rama(Grayson) Harris
12/26/2010
Dear Paula and Family:
I'd like to extend my sympathy to you and your family. I went to high school with
Phil. I recall him being animated and always pleasant and at our reunions
he was always asked about.
It's such a difficult time for you and I know the holidays have been bittersweet.
The sadness without Phil, yet the sweet memories of Christmas past to fall back on.
Sincerely,
Rama (Grayson) Harris
Napa, CA
Carol Ann Bell George
12/26/2010
Dear family members of Phil,
I was very saddened to learn from a high school classmate about the sudden death of your loved one. I will continue to remember you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Phillip and lived next door to one another in Winterset. Our homes were separated by a small plot of land and railroad tracks at that time. The tracks are no longer there. Phil and I walked to school together frequently and my mom would drive us to school together in bad weather. WE would also practice our musical instruments together in my home when at that time I would make him a float or malt. Once I called him from a chair I jumped on to come over and chase down a mouse that had run under the couch. He was like a brother I never had in those days. Because of the times in the 50's and early 60's we didn't talk about deep down difficulties we were both experiencing but I always knew I could count on Phil to be there. One other experience I remember was during my college days at Graceland College in Lamoni,Iowa when Phil and Paula stopped by to tell me they were going to be married.I don't remember Paula if you remember that day when we met at the downtown cafe for beverages. After that time we saw little of one another unless we could talk Phil into coming to a class reunion to dance with all of us. He was the best dancer in the entire class. Everyone wanted to take turns dancing with him.I am sorry to say that I never had an opportunity to see any of his post graduate art work but I understand he had a long history of being a good artist and honored art teacher in the DesMoines area.
God Bless you all in your time of grieving.I will fondly remember Phil from our youth.He had a gentleness and kindness about him that I will always remember.
His 1962 classmate,
Carol Ann Bell George
Julie Tupker
12/24/2010
Sending deepest sympathy to Phil's family and partner, Steve. I didn't know Phil personally, but heard of him through my association with the Avinza project, on which we both worked, and David Schellenberg.
Richard Beem
12/22/2010
The AZ Beems are in shock and have fond memories of Phil as friend and 2nd father. We will remember him!
Peggy DuPre
12/21/2010
Bob and I are very sorry for your loss. It was nice to visit with all of you
last night even though it was a sad time.
Peggy
Mikey Lair
12/20/2010
Phil your life was full of color just like your many paintings ..... you made me laugh many times through our years of friendship . You were quite the character !
May God bless you !
Gary Moore
12/20/2010
Everybody knew there was a smile to be seen on Phil. It was almost always there when visiting with friends at the Blazing Saddle. We have his mural of the Iowa State Capitol circa 1896 to remind us of him and his talents for now and along time to come.
Our well wishes are extended to Steve and Phil's family.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Gary Moore
David Schellenberg
12/20/2010
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Phil's passing. He was a great friend and I'm miss him enormously. To Paula and the girls, my deepest sympathies to you all. Steve - my heart goes out to you for your loss.