Frank McMurtrey, 91, of Hartshorne passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Frank was born on November 29, 1934, in Haileyville, Oklahoma to Julia “Jude” (Daugherty) and Clyde Franklin McMurtrey. He was the third born of eight children.
Frank attended Haileyville Schools, played football and worked for Dobbs/Colvard Diary in Hartshorne where he was given the nickname “buttermilk.” He graduated from Haileyville High School in 1952. After High School Frank entered military service signing up with the U.S. Army where he was a teletype operator and rose to the duty assignment of Co C (Msg Ctr) for 63rd Signal Battalion and was stationed in Salzburg, Austria. While deployed, Frank won several dance contests in his off-duty hours.
After he received his honorable discharge, he returned home to Haileyville.
Frank met Carma Sue Doak in 1957. Frank found out Carma was every bit his equal when it came to dancing. These two dance partners became lifelong partners and were married at the Hartshorne First Baptist Church on May 31, 1958.
The young couple moved to Wichita, Kansas and then to New Orleans, Louisiana to begin raising their family. While living in New Orleans Frank worked for the Boeing Company which played a critical role in the Apollo 11 mission. Boeing developed the Saturn V rocket which enabled the thrust for lift off and managed the technical integration for NASA. He was Print Shop Manager during this time. Frank took considerable pride in having worked on the team that put the first man on the moon.
Frank and Carma Sue returned home to Hartshorne with their family in 1970.
Frank attended Eastern Oklahoma State college graduating with an associate’s degree in industrial education. He later worked for the Cope Ranch and Dobson Construction.
In 1975 Frank began operating McMurtrey Texaco Station in Hartshorne and served as Hartshorne City Councilman doing both for the next 2 decades. He enjoyed both immensely but for different reasons.
Frank closed the service station after 20 years and took a position with the department of Corrections as warehouse supervisor where he worked until retirement.
After retiring Frank and Carma Sue were able to travel, go to auctions and had the time to enjoy their grandchildren. Camping and boating with family and friends on Lake Eufaula were always one of their favorite past times.
Frank and his brother Ed bought some land and they built “The Cabin.” with Frank’s good friend Elix Earp. Frank loved working on the land and getting the cabin ready for the season. Frank was immensely proud to build a legacy with the cabin that his family could enjoy and where they had created so many wonderful memories.
Frank is survived by his sons and their spouses; Frankie Ray McMurtrey and wife Traci of Bache Oklahoma, Jeffrey Scott McMurtrey and wife Tina of McAlester, Oklahoma, and his daughter Lori Sue McMurtrey Roan and husband Brad of Garland, Texas.
Papa Frank and Grandma Carma’s grandchildren and their spouses; Marc McMurtrey’s widow Leslie McMurtrey of McAlester, Travis McMurtrey of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nash McMurtrey and wife Jessica of Houston, Texas, Christian McMurtrey of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Cidney McMurtrey Meacham and husband Tommy of Crowder, Oklahoma, Isabella Sue Jude Roan and her fiancé, Zach Smith of Sapulpa Oklahoma, Oliver Michael David Roan and his love, Eden Jones of Denton Texas.
Papa Frank’s six great grandchildren also survive him: Allison, Brighton, Harlan (Llewyn), Miriam, Callahan, and Carson McMurtrey.
The McMurtrey siblings held a strong family bond where they could always depend on one another. Frank is survived by his Sister Dotty Faith of Muskogee Oklahoma and brother and best running buddy Ed McMurtrey of Haileyville, Oklahoma.
Nephews; Bobby Harris, Eddie Carrol McMurtrey, Rodney Faith, Todd McBee, Randy Faith, Michael Ellmaker, Joe McMurtrey and Scott Butkis, nieces; Linda Cupit, Julie Brooksher and Renee Gray.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Carma Sue McMurtrey, his parents, Clyde and Julia McMurtrey, father and mother-in-law, Gregg and Ethyl Doak, his brothers Joe McMurtrey and Horace McMurtrey, his sisters; Mickey Ellmaker, Charlene Butkis, and Shirley McBee, brothers-in-law, Jerry Doak, Bill McBee, Glen Faith, Sam Butkis, Stan Ellmaker and Bob Harris, sister in-laws; Barabara McMurtrey, Patsy McMurtrey and Helen Harris; nephew Marc McBee and nieces Roxane McMurtrey and Debbie Harris. Frank was also preceded in death by his grandson Marc Anthony McMurtrey.
Obituary provided by Legacy.com