Obituary of Michael Schurr

MICHAEL SCHURR (MURF) Sept. 24, 1945 - Feb. 5, 2011 Michael Schurr (who most people know as Murf) passed away on Saturday, February 5, after a very short but extremely courageous battle with cancer. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 25, at 2:00 p.m. at the Chico Elks Lodge, 1705 Manzanita Avenue, Chico. Mike was born on September 24, 1945, in Oroville to Maurice and Vera Schurr. At the age of 5, his family moved to Durham. His mother's family was from the Dayton-Durham area. Her parents farmed in Dayton and the families' core is still in the Durham-Dayton community today. In 1986, he married Linda Lambrix at Bucks Lake. Mike was a Durham High School, class of 1964 graduate. After high school, Mike enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was trained as an Aircraft Mechanic and was stationed at Mather Air Force base in Guam. After his service in the Air Force, Mike was employed by Boeing Aircraft in Renton, Washington but after a few years he returned to the Durham area to be closer to family. He worked for the Butte County Department of Public Works for more than 30 years and retired in 2001. Mike was a member of the Chico Elks Lodge and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He volunteered at the Chico Elks Lodge putting up American flags on special holidays and was also active at the Elks in the building and maintenance committee. Every year, Mike walked for the Chico Elks Lodge in the Relay For Life Cancer Walk sponsored by the American Cancer Society . He also volunteered many hours maintaining the Dayton Cemetery. Mike helped to plan; execute and raise money for the construction and completion of the Veteran's Memorial at the cemetery and posted the Air Force flag for the first time there on October 23, 2010. Mike loved the outdoors and particularly loved to garden. He was known for producing extraordinary red onions every year. He and Linda loved to spend time in the mountains; particularly at "the cabin" at Bucks Lake. Mike..."Murf" was truly a fixture in the Durham-Dayton area. He was know for his regular rides (by truck, ATV, bicycle, and tractor) cruising through town always with a wave and a smile to all. Mike is survived by his wife, Linda and his mother Vera, both of Chico; his sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Albert Espinosa of Tucson, his Uncle and Aunt, Rosalle and Leroy Cartwright of Dayton, Uncle and Aunt, Wayne and Faye Cartwright of Chico, his aunt, Ann Terrell of Vernal, Utah, his nephews, Rodney and Joseph Espinosa of Tucson, and his great nieces and nephews, Brittney, Elena, and Ethan Espinosa of Tucson. He also had numerous extended family members, in-laws, cousins, and many close friends who he cherished. Donations can be made in Mike's (Murf's) name to the American Cancer Society , Guide Dogs for the Blind or the Dayton Cemetery in care of the Brusie Funeral Home.