Hosea McMurtrey, Sr.

Hosea McMurtrey, Sr. was born to Idella Honeysucker and John Thomas (JT) McMurtry in Camden (Madison County), MS, on May 2, 1930. Born during the period of migration northward, he was left with his grandparents, Isaac B. and Mary Honeysucker, for a few years until joining his mother, now Idella Taylor, in Memphis, TN. Hosea attended Lester Elementary School and then Manassas High School. Poor decisions caused school discipline and then withdrawal, after which he returned to the farm in Mississippi. The hard farm life there made him eagerly accept an invitation to attend the Piney Woods Country Life School in Brandon, MS. He enjoyed the years there, was active in school life, and was president of his senior class.

Hosea was baptized in the Church of Christ as a young man, then baptized a second time in the Baptist faith. He worked in various areas, including in the Sunday School, as a trustee, and as an usher. He took membership in the St. Jude Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. Hosea read the entire Bible several times, reading both morning and night.

Having received Uncle Sam’s Army draft notice, Hosea opted for the Air Force immediately after graduation. He entered basic training in 1951, and the USAF was his employer for the next 28 years. Hosea did two overseas tours but never saw hostile military action. The technical, supervisory, and administrative training that he received over the years was the equivalent of a college degree.

In 1956, Hosea was on a short TDY (temporary duty assignment) when he was told of a new Women’s Air Force (WAF) arrival. On his return to Selfridge Air Force Base, MI, he met her and made her his bride three months later. The WAF became his wife halfway through her own enlistment and then transitioned from active duty to working as a civil servant. Her name was Katie M. Whitfield, and she and Hosea enjoyed 70 years of marriage.

In 1979, Hosea retired at Holloman Air Force Base, NM, as a Senior Master Sergeant, and he, Katie, and their children continued to live in Alamogordo, NM. After retirement, Hosea took classes at New Mexico State University, and later he returned to work, this time as a civil engineer. It was in Alamogordo that Hosea entered the Masonic world. He was a member of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, PHA, Southern Jurisdiction. He advanced in the craft to become a 33rd Degree member in the Scottish Rite. He served as an Illustrious Potentate and also attended many Imperial Councils.

Hosea was fairly well known for his golf skills, which were a long-time personal hobby. Later, he took up bowling and was a consistent, high-average bowler. Hosea enjoyed completing jigsaw puzzles, and he was a very strategic competitor when playing games such as Scrabble, Bonanza, and Yahtzee. He and Katie spent many, many evenings playing pinochle, and he was good at other card games as well. He was a personable person, but alas, he never felt comfortable dancing.

Hosea was preceded in death by his parents, Idella Taylor and John T. McMurtry; brothers James Taylor and Kevin McMurtry; and sisters Tommie McMurtry Standberry and Essie Taylor Gunn. He leaves to cherish his memory his dear wife, Katie McMurtrey of El Paso, TX; daughters Helen Babino of El Paso, TX and Katherine (James) House of San Jose, CA; son Hosea (Barrelia) McMurtrey, Jr. of Converse, TX; grandchildren Gerri (Stephon) Stover of Arden, NC, Amanda Babino of Rhinelander, WI; Pamela Babino of Shawano, WI; and Jazyme Brown, Timothy Brown, and Tkai McMurtrey, all of Converse, TX; and siblings Nina Taylor of Memphis, TN and Gloria McMurtry of Portland, OR. He was an uncle and cousin to numerous relatives, and he was a good friend to many, many others throughout his life.