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Dr. Kevin Joseph Murrell, 76, entered peacefully into rest on Friday, April 12, 2024, at home and surrounded by his family.
Kevin was born in Brooklyn, NY, and he was deeply grateful for his parents, who gave him faith and a love for others and their cultures, especially Ireland. An army veteran, he served as a medivac helicopter pilot in Vietnam, era 1967/68. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross. During his youth, he was a member of the freshmen University of Washington rowing team and an athlete all his life—he enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, and golfing. He and Karen met as lifeguards at Green Lake in Seattle, and were married for over half a century (56 years).
At the heart of Kevin’s life was his faith, the fruits of which were seen both in his work and his personal life. He was a longtime member of the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and he had a deep avocation for ethics. He served as the President of the Catholic Medical Association and the Treasurer and North American Representative of The World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (F.I.A.M.C.). He had a longtime friendship and service to the Missionaries of Charity and benefitted from the depth of their mission. Encountering the Holy Spirit lit both Kevin and Karen’s hearts on fire, inspiring them to create a culture that would glorify God—this became the Alleluia Community, of which Kevin was a Founding Elder.
Kevin loved combining the spiritual aspect of the human person with the medical aspect, and greatly enjoyed the medical conferences he attended. As a psychiatrist, he served as an associate professor at MCG for over a decade, and he worked at Community Mental Health, the VA, and Serenity Behavioral Health. He had a great compassion for his patients, putting the biography over the biology, and he found joy in seeing and helping people as they are.
An appreciator of art and an artist himself, Kevin saw God’s beauty in the world and realized it with his words. He helped clear the skies with his prayer, and he was a constant guardian to his family, always looking out for his grandchildren. He loved a good joke, easily finding the humor in life. Probably his greatest happiness and delight in life, though, was spending time with his children and grandchildren. Any gathering with them, he considered a party. He loved each one of them, along with his brother and sister.
In addition to his wife, Karen Kuebler Murrell, his family includes his children: Luke Murrell (Sarah), John Murrell (Gracie), Kajse Conkright (Bill), Mary Kate Pride (Joe) and Meghan Sterett (Joe); grandchildren: Lucia, Billy, Kevin, Katherine, John, Joseph, Joshua and Finn Conkright, Genevieve, Jack, Sophia, Harvey, Greta, Dove and Havilah Pride, Luke, Jude, Eleanor and Elizabeth Sterett, Eva, Everett, Noe, and Norah Murrell; sister: Lillie Acosta (Homer); brother: John Murrell (Sandra); nieces: Stacy and Alana; and nephews: Brian, Matthew, and Steve.
So many thanks to Trinity Hospice and our children and grandchildren, who gave Kevin true quality and dignity of life up until the end.
Above all, we give glory to God.
The funeral Mass will be held Friday, April 19th at 12:15 at The Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Fr. Jacob Almeter as celebrant. Interment will follow in Alleluia Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Stained Glass, Alleluia Community School and Missionaries of Charity.
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