Daniel Thomas "Tom" Murchison

Funeral services for prominent Natchitoches attorney Daniel T. Murchison,who died Saturday after a lengthy illness,will be conducted Wednesday January 11, 2012 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Natchitoches. Visitation will be at the church from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2012 and burial will be in the American Cemetery following the services. Tom Murchison departed this life on January 7, 2012, at the age of 75. Tom was born on October 26, 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee, the first child of Dan and Margaret Murchison. Faith, family and friends were the most important things in his life. Faith Tom and his wife, Vicki, became members of First Baptist Church when they moved to Natchitoches in 1963. Tom served many years as a Sunday School teacher, teaching youth classes and later being one of the founding members of the Couples Too class. The Couples Too class has continued for over 27 years and has had membership as large as 100. Tom was also involved in Youth Ministries, coaching basketball and track, and assisting with the Royal Ambassador program. Tom was ordained a Deacon in 1985 and has served on the Board of Deacons. Family Tom is survived by his wife, Vicki , three sons, Daniel T. Murchison, Jr. “Tommy” and his wife, Gretchen, Timothy Glenn Murchison “Tim” and William Tyler Murchison “Tyler” and his wife, Sally; grandchildren, Garrett Wayne Murchison, Daniel Jacob Murchison, Katherine Victoria Murchison, Anna Grace Murchison, Ava Margaret Murchison, Henry Ian Murchison and Farrah Elizabeth Murchison; sisters, Dr. Lynne Murchison of Oxford, Mississippi, and Judy Kirby and her husband James of Memphis, Tennessee, brother-in-law, Kip Dillow and his wife Linda of Cobden, Illinois; nieces, Ami Ramsey, Chandra Dillow and Summer Bacon, and nephews, Matthew Kirby, Andrew Kirby and Kipper Dillow. He is also survived by Patricia Payne who he considered as family. His love for his sons and sports led to him becoming a fixture at local youth leagues. He was a founding member of Natchitoches Area Dixie Youth, Inc. He coached many teams, but was known for his role as statistician. Friends Tom was an avid collector of friends and maintained his connections with friends to the end. He continued friendships established in childhood, college, law school, through the practice of law, attendance at church and sporting events as well as with anyone else who would listen to a story. He was as well known for speaking at length about his boys, the Civil War, the Bible and baseball, as he was known for his bow tie and ever present cigar. If alive today and healthy he would be sharing the highlights of Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. His love of the Cardinals was so strong that he considered members of the teams as friends as well. During his lifetime, the Cardinals won 13 pennants and 8 World Series. Space does not allow listing his 300 favorite civil war generals, whom he could recite in alphabetical order. Among the many friends Tom made over his lifetime, he was happy to include the medical professionals who treated him during his battle with lymphoma. Tom appreciated and was thankful for the care and friendship provided by Dr. Robert Massingill and his staff. He also made many friends among and was thankful for the nurses and other staff at the cancer treatment center at Christus Schumpert Hospital. His Life: Tom’s childhood was spent in Sikeston, Missouri and he was followed in birth by his two sisters, Dr. Lynne Murchison and Mrs. Judy Kirby. He graduated from High School in 1955 at Sikeston, Missouri. He continued his education at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee and received a B. A. in 1959. While at Union University he met Vicki Jean Dillow and on September 10, 1960, entered into a marriage that lasted over 51 years. Tom attended Tulane University School of Law where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and was managing editor of the Tulane Law Review in 1961-1962. He graduated first in class in Common Law Curriculum in 1962. He authored “The Effect of Unitization on the Duration and Extent of Mineral Interests in Louisiana” Tulane Law Review (1962). He was also the winner of the Edwin Mahoney Award for Excellence in Criminal Law in 1960. He was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in May of 1962. Tom joined the law firm of Watson, Williams & Brittain in January of 1963 in Natchitoches, Louisiana, which firm later changed its name to Watson, Murchison, Crews, Arthur & Corkern. Tom formed Murchison and Murchison, L.L.C. in 1998, with his son, Tommy. Tom practiced law with many local attorneys that are well know in the community including the following: Arthur Watson, R. B. Williams, Jack Brittain, Ken McCoy, Charles Whitehead, Jr., Bill Crews, Raymond Arthur, Kenneth Simmons, Mike Hayes, Ronald Corkern, Steve Crews, George Celles, Tama Thomas, Joe Stamey, Robert Owsley and Tommy Murchison. While practicing law in Natchitoches for 49 years, he attained many honors, including being named a representative of the Eighth Judicial District Junior Bar Council (1865-1971), and named “Outstanding Young Lawyer of Louisiana” in 1973 by the Young Lawyer’s Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association. He was a voting member of the Louisiana Law Institute, and served many years in that capacity. He was a member of many legal societies including the Louisiana State Bar Association and Natchitoches Parish Bar Association, American Judicature Society, American College of Probate Counsel, Board of Directors of Kisatchie Legal Services and Law Reform Committee of the State Bar Association (1979-1983) Tom’s early career included 6 months active services in the United Stated Army and six years in the Army Reserve. He obtained the rank of Captain in the Judge Advocate General Corps. Tom was well known for his long service to the City of Natchitoches serving as Assistant City Attorney from 1966-1973, and then City Attorney from 1973-2004. His love for the community following closely behind his love for his faith, family and friends. Tom was a member of many civic organizations including the Natchitoches Parish Chamber of Commerce of which he served as Secretary, Louisiana-Jaycees of which he served as President of the local chapter and Regional Vice President of the State, Lions Club of which he served as Secretary, and Northwestern State University Booster Club. He was named Man of the Year in 1985 by the Natchitoches Parish Chamber of Commerce. He taught Real Estate, Business Law and Successions and Trusts at Northwestern State University. He provided pro bono services to the community and was recognized for this service in 1997 by Kisatchie Legal Services and in 2004 by the Louisiana State Bar Association. His pro bono service was emblematic of his giving spirit and he was always generous with his most valuable asset, himself, and will be greatly missed. Pallbearers are James Kirby, Matthew Kirby, Andrew Kirby, Kip Dillow, Kipper Dillow, Garrett Murchison, Ian Murchison, Jacob Murchison, Sidney Frederick and Boyd White. Honorary pallbearers include members of the Couples Too class, members of the Gerousia and others too numerous to name. Tom made the request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Myra Gulledge Memorial Scholarship, c/o District 8 Baptist Convention, Post Office Box 2880, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457.