Kent "Tule" Murdock

My wonderful mortal journey came to an end on March 21, 2016 at the McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah. It began in Heber City, Utah on August 13, 1927 when I was born to James Ruelof and Rhea Vivian Stewart Murdock, my goodly parents.

I was the first of 3 sons and one daughter. Annette who came four years later and died in infancy. Stewart (Connie, deceased) coming 5 years later and Lowell (Chris) coming 9 years after that. I grew up with a love of ALL sports and a family who loved sports as much as I did. It didn't seem to matter whether it was a Football, Basketball, or Baseball game being played. I was ‘all in’ and ready regardless of the age (sometimes much older) of who I was playing. This love for sports carried me to a rewarding High School Career at Wasatch High School that was highlighted by winning the Class B State Basketball Championship in both my Junior Year (1944) as well as my senior year (1945).

I was fortunate enough to continue my great love for sports at Utah State University where I played and lettered in all 3 of my favorite sports, Basketball, Baseball and Football. Earning my Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Coaching. Following my 4 year Athletic Career I was thrilled to accept a Coaching position at Morgan High School in 1951.

The best thing that ever happened to me was not in Sports, or in my future Business Career…. It was when I met the LOVE of my Life … Shirley Jean Olsen … from Morgan, Utah, and somehow convinced her to marry me on August 14, 1948 … Undoubtedly the smartest and luckiest thing I ever did. Together with my eternal companion, we raised our 5 children Margo (David Gunther), K. O. (Tonya Dahl), Nan Lighthall, J Blake (Julie Weaver) and Tammy (Travis Truman).

It was such a blessing to raise our children and eventually our grandchildren among the wonderful people of Morgan and Davis Counties. I realized the promise I was given that I would have a large posterity. Which includes 30 Grandchildren and 95 Great Grandchildren. Mine and Shirley’s greatest comfort and joy is knowing that our children and their spouses and our grandchildren ‘Walk in truth.’

As it turned out, my chosen profession changed from Coaching to The Automobile Business.  I followed my Father in Law (Jack Olsen) into a career at Olsen Chevrolet in Layton beginning full time in 1959 and never looking back. We built our first Chevrolet Dealership in 1982 in Bountiful, Utah and then expanded to the now Murdock Automotive Group in 4 locations in Northern Utah. I am so proud to say that while I was a 2nd Generation Auto Dealer and my sons were 3rd Generation auto dealers, the leaders of our auto group today are my Grandsons (4th generation) with many of our children and grandchildren enjoying employment in our family business at one time or another. We have been so blessed to associate with so many talented employees and so very many loyal customers and vendors. Many of which we consider our choicest friends.

I have also been privileged to serve in a variety of community councils and volunteer organizations. I have a deep love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have also enriched my life. Among other callings, I have had the opportunity to serve as a Home

Teacher, Bishop of the Clearfield 1st Ward, High Councilman and as Senior Couple Missionaries in the Baton Rouge Louisiana Mission and as Temple Missionaries in the Washington DC Temple and the St George Temple with my dear wife Shirley.

The Counsel that I learned from my service in the Church that I loved to share with my family was: "Faith is of the Lord, and Fear is of the Devil."

After my wife Shirley passed away in 1999, I married Sheila Lindquist and enjoyed years of marriage with her.

And last but not least, I was so fortunate to enjoy the last week of my life making lasting memories with my Children and Grandchildren on a Cruise in the Caribbean. Oh, what a time we had…

Please know of my love and heartfelt appreciation for those of you who have contributed so richly to my life as well as my family's lives.

My family and I wish to thank the Doctors and Nurses who assisted me in my final days and the Russon Brothers for their excellent care in the funeral proceedings.

A viewing will be held Sunday, March 27 (Easter), 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Russon Brothers Mortuary 1941 N Main Street (across from Cherry Hill Campground) Farmington, Utah and on Monday March 28 from 9:30 to 10:30 at the Layton Utah East Stake Center at 1015 N. Emerald Drive,Layton, Utah just prior to the funeral services at 11:00 am.

Interment Lakeview Cemetery Bountiful Utah. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an LDS charity of your choice.