Murray Elmore

Murray B. Elmore, 83, a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa died Monday, October 25, 2010 at Genesis Medical Center-East Campus in Davenport, Iowa after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, October 30, 2010 at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Davenport. Memorials may be made to the Handicapped Development Center of Davenport or the Iowa Lions Eye Bank.

Murray was born March 23, 1927 in Braddyville, Iowa, the son of Charles Newton & Marie Arvilla (Cox) Elmore.

He was united in marriage to Edith Mae Dodge on October 24, 1948 in Ogden, Iowa. She preceded him in death on September 14, 2007.

After graduating from high school in Corydon, Iowa, he served in the United States Navy on the USS Cape Johnson during World War II. He then graduated from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa receiving a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He then received his Masters in Music Education degree in 1963 from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.

Ever a musician, Murray played in the family band as a youth. He led church choirs and, in later years, sang in a senior chorus and performed solos in the Quad-City Senior Olympics performing arts division, receiving gold and silver medals. He taught in public schools in Iowa for thirty-nine years, retiring from the Bettendorf Community School District in 1992.

He became a member of the Baha’i Faith in 1963. Highlighting those years are three pilgrimages to the Baha’i Holy Places in Haifa and Acre, Israel. During one, his son Richard accompanied his parents and in 2006 they were accompanied by their daughter.

In any organization of which he was a member, he was a volunteer. He was acknowledged as Volunteer of the Year at Quad-City Arts, Rock Island, Illinois. In his later years, he served as chairman of the Advisory Council at the Center for Active Seniors in Davenport and proudly served on its Board of Directors.

Those left to honor his memory include his son and daughter-in-law, Clinton & Rosie Elmore of Milledgeville, Illinois; his daughter and son-in-law, Laura & Tim Cox of Georgetown, Texas; his grandchildren, Clint (Kip) Elmore and his wife, Jamie of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Shawna Cassidy of Rock Island, Sara Burns and her husband, Steve of Longmont, Colorado and Ryan Cox of Longmont; two step-grandchildren; his great-grandchildren, Adrienne and Matthew Elmore and Payton Cassidy; four step-great-grandchildren; his sister, Wilda Levis; his brother, Marvin Elmore; and a special friend, Marjorie Bildner.

Murray was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife and son, Edith and Richard; and his sister, Shirley.

Murray suffered from macular degeneration and his eyes were donated for research.

The family would like to thank Kris Ward and her staff at the Fountains in Bettendorf. Murray enjoyed the last four years there, staying busy with many enriching activities. The care they provided was First-Class.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Murray’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.