Thomas McMurtrie

Thomas Gerald (Jerry) McMurtrie, 75, ended his life journey on April 9, 2016 at his home on Jackson Creek in Deltaville. He was born on January 21, 1941 in Richmond, Virginia to Cyril and Kathleen (Strotmeyer) McMurtrie. Jerry graduated from Benedictine High School and received a business degree from the University of Tampa. He met Lynne MacLean on the beaches of Fort Lauderdale during spring break.  Lynne became his wife of 53 years, they began their family in Richmond but raised four wonderful children in Middlesex County. T.G. (Jenny) McMurtrie of Hartfield, Tracy (Larry) Luck of Williamsburg, Kelly (Wayne) Thomas of Hardyville and Darren McMurtrie of San Francisco, California. Jerry was a leading salesperson for IBM for many years before retirement. “Gampie” was blessed with 7 grandchildren whom he adored; Marianne, Madison and MacLean Thomas; Michael and Margaret Luck; and Russell and Thomas McMurtrie. Jerry was instrumental in bringing the vision of a Catholic Church to Middlesex County. He raised funds and was an original board member for what would become The Church of the Visitation. Jerry spent his lifetime in Middlesex County. He was a member of the Middlesex County Planning Commission, primarily as Chairman. He was a member of the Middlesex County Lions Club (Jerry flipped many an oyster fritter at the Urbanna Oyster Festival). He served as Chairman of the Finance Committee for Church of the Visitation and on the Board of Directors of the Middlesex County YMCA (an organization very special to him) and was one of the founding members for the branch in Middlesex County. A side note, Jerry also exercised at ‘The Y’ and the question of the day was often whether he would be found on a treadmill or holding court at the coffee machine. Jerry was a founding member of the Piankatank River Golf Course which was frequently referred to as his home away from home. His love of his children led to him coaching Little League baseball while his boys were young. Jerry was also a long standing Director of the Deltaville Community Association. Visitation will be held at Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Saluda, from 6-8pm on Friday, April 15, 2016.  Memorial Church services will be held at the Church of the Visitation, Topping, at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 16, 2016.  A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Middlesex County YMCA, P.O. Box 524, Hartfield, VA 23071. If you wish to donate flowers, The River Birch Nursery and/or Wilton Cottage and Gardens Center will assist in selecting a living plant which will be planted by them in a Memorial Garden for Jerry which will be at The YMCA, Hartfield.