Funeral services for Harold Murrell will be Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at 10 a.m. in the Cherokee High School Auditorium with Reverend Tom Cooksey and Reverend Garry McNeill officiating. Burial will follow in the Cherokee Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Goodwin-Wharton Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at http://www.whartonfuneralchapel.com.
Harold W. (Buddy) Murrell – fabled football and track coach – finished the anchor leg Saturday, September 17, 2016, at 86 years old.
He was born August 9, 1930, in Purcell, Oklahoma to Knox and Alma (Wells) Murrell. Buddy graduated from Purcell High School and then went on to play college football, first at Murray State College at Tishimingo, and the last two years at East Central State University in Ada, Oklahoma. He served two years in military service in between. Buddy was honored as a “Golden Tiger” and was presented his medallion in Ada.
Buddy’s first coaching and teaching position was in Ada in 1952. His next stop was Wynnewood, followed by a few years at Coalgate. He then accepted the head football and track field coaching job in Cherokee in 1956. He remained there for over 30 years until his retirement in 1985.
His football teams achieved great success, culminating in the 1969 team that went undefeated. That same year, he was named as an all-state coach for the Oklahoma Coaches Association football team.
He led the Cherokee Chiefs to five state titles, two state runner-ups, and numerous regional championships, spanning three decades. The state titles were in 1969, 1971-1973 and 1985. Buddy has been inducted into the OCA (Oklahoma Coaches Association) and OTCA (Oklahoma Track Coaches Association) halls of fame.
Buddy is survived by his son, Tony Murrell and wife Janelle of Elk City, daughter Cyndy Burris and husband Jon of Edmond, son Andy of the home, and son David and wife Marie of Duncan. He loved his grandchildren and did his best to spoil them. They include Ryan Murrell of Austin, Texas; Aiza (Mike) Springer of Edmond; Kari (Bob) Brown of Houston, Texas; Madeline Murrell of Tulsa; and Sarah Murrell of Duncan. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 54 years, Stella (Brooks) Murrell; his brother Kenneth Murrell; sisters Mary Nell Blinscow and Betty Richerson; and his grandson Rhett Murrell.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to a memorial fund for Andy at Alfalfa County Bank.
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