Murray Cooper Mitchell
March 19, 1923 — June 11, 2013
Murray Cooper Mitchell
Murray Cooper Mitchell, age 90, of Portland Texas passed away on June 11th, 2013.
Murray was born on March 19, 1923 in Huntsville, Texas to Mattie Cooper and Claud Lee Mitchell. He graduated from Huntsville High School and subsequently enrolled at Sam Houston State University where he played basketball, football, and high-jumped for the track team. His education was interrupted by World War II when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served for four years. He participated in the Ardennes Rhineland Campaign and was awarded the WWII Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, and two Bronze Stars. When the War ended, Murray returned to Sam Houston and was an All-Conference basketball player and earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees. He was selected to the All Lone-Star Conference Team for the years of 1942, 1947, and 1948. He was later inducted into the Bearkat Hall of Honor in 1977.
Murray was drafted by the Boston Celtics organization in 1948, but after only one year, he returned to his newborn son and began his coaching career in Texas. He was Head Coach and Athletic Director at Magnolia High School for one year, basketball coach at Ray High School in Corpus Christi for two years, then moved to become head basketball coach at Beaumont High School for two years. In 1957, he returned to Corpus Christi and became the very first basketball coach at Carroll High School upon its opening. He remained at Carroll for seven years until leaving for a career in the engraving business, where he worked until retirement. In 1998 Murray and his wife Bobbye moved to George West where he was active in the cattle and ranching business. In 2006, he and Bobbye retired again to the Carriage Inn in Portland.
Murray is survived by his wife Bobbye of 66 years, his only child Bob and wife Pat, one granddaughter Nicki Mitchell Murray and her husband Toby, grandson Tommy and wife Angie, grandson Brett, three great-grandsons; Murray Cooper Mitchell, Christian Tobias Murray, and Hudson Levi Murray, along with one great-granddaughter Charley Marie Mitchell. He is also survived by his brother Bill Mitchell (Reva) of Katy, Texas, along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless people he called friends. His family, friends, & former students meant the world to Murray.
A memorial service will be held Friday June 14, 2013, 2:00 p.m. at St. Christopher's By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Portland, Texas, 8210 Wildcat Drive.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Capital Improvement Fund at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice.
Murray was born on March 19, 1923 in Huntsville, Texas to Mattie Cooper and Claud Lee Mitchell. He graduated from Huntsville High School and subsequently enrolled at Sam Houston State University where he played basketball, football, and high-jumped for the track team. His education was interrupted by World War II when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served for four years. He participated in the Ardennes Rhineland Campaign and was awarded the WWII Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, and two Bronze Stars. When the War ended, Murray returned to Sam Houston and was an All-Conference basketball player and earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees. He was selected to the All Lone-Star Conference Team for the years of 1942, 1947, and 1948. He was later inducted into the Bearkat Hall of Honor in 1977.
Murray was drafted by the Boston Celtics organization in 1948, but after only one year, he returned to his newborn son and began his coaching career in Texas. He was Head Coach and Athletic Director at Magnolia High School for one year, basketball coach at Ray High School in Corpus Christi for two years, then moved to become head basketball coach at Beaumont High School for two years. In 1957, he returned to Corpus Christi and became the very first basketball coach at Carroll High School upon its opening. He remained at Carroll for seven years until leaving for a career in the engraving business, where he worked until retirement. In 1998 Murray and his wife Bobbye moved to George West where he was active in the cattle and ranching business. In 2006, he and Bobbye retired again to the Carriage Inn in Portland.
Murray is survived by his wife Bobbye of 66 years, his only child Bob and wife Pat, one granddaughter Nicki Mitchell Murray and her husband Toby, grandson Tommy and wife Angie, grandson Brett, three great-grandsons; Murray Cooper Mitchell, Christian Tobias Murray, and Hudson Levi Murray, along with one great-granddaughter Charley Marie Mitchell. He is also survived by his brother Bill Mitchell (Reva) of Katy, Texas, along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless people he called friends. His family, friends, & former students meant the world to Murray.
A memorial service will be held Friday June 14, 2013, 2:00 p.m. at St. Christopher's By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Portland, Texas, 8210 Wildcat Drive.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Capital Improvement Fund at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice.
Service Details
Friday, June 14th, 2013, 2:00pm, St. Christopher's By The Sea Episcopal Church
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