Jack Murgittroyd

Jack Burton Murgittroyd age 86, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center, Alma, MI.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul's Apostle Catholic Church, Ithaca, MI, on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Fr. Andrzej Boroch officiating. Burial will take place at Lafayette Township Cemetery, Lafayette Township, MI. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI.

Jack was born in Wheeler, MI on July 19, 1930, the son of James Obed and Ethel (Sweet) Murgittroyd.  Jack served his country in the U.S. Army. On September 4, 1954 Jack married Doris Glazier in Angola, IN.

Jack was a farmer in his earlier years and was a contractor in this area for many years. He was also a general manager of Kaiser Aluminum in California. Jack was a woodworker and enjoyed making furniture for family members. He loved fishing and hunting and enjoyed the outdoors snowmobiling and being up north.  Music was a big part of his life.  He played the guitar, played in a band called the Son's of the Saddle, and he was a singer, playing on live radio.  In 2008 he was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame.  Jack was also a horseman.  He broke horses, and rode in many rodeos on horses and brama bulls.  He was a member of St. Helen's Catholic Church Rio Hondo, TX.

He is survived by his wife Doris Murgittroyd of Ithaca, MI, 3 daughters; Debra Strickland, Terry and Ronald Colville, Lori and Todd Crawford, 2 sons; James Murgittroyd, Jack and Eva Murgittroyd Jr., grandchildren; Lesa and John Neuwirth, John Kirn, Julie Pawlaczyk, Jon Murgittroyd, Nicholas Strickland, Brittany and Jacob Galloway, Irene Murgittroyd, Maggie Murgittroyd, Burt Murgittroyd, Rob Murgittroyd, Amanda Macias, Amber Huber, Andrea Crawford, Thomas Crawford, several great and great great grandchildren, 2 sisters; Janet and Judy Murgittroyd, and 1 brother James Murgittroyd Jr.  He was predeceased by his parents, daughter Vickie Murgittroyd, son Michael Murgittroyd, grandson Michael James Murgittroyd, sister Joyce Young, and brother Gene Murgittroyd.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI.