Late in the evening of July 28th, 2026, Leonard McMurtry unexpectedly passed away from this earth. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

He was born Leonard Claude McMurtry on January 18, 1938 just outside of Chandler, Oklahoma, to Thomas Sherman and Nellie Mae McMurtry. He was the youngest of five siblings and a surprise addition after seven years to his closest sibling in age. He grew up on many rural farms in Lincoln County, Oklahoma and graduated top of his class from what was then Kendrick High School. He was the only one in his family to attend college after a high school teacher encouraged him to study engineering at Oklahoma A&M. Stillwater seemed like such a metropolitan place to him after living in rural Oklahoma his entire life, but he got part-time jobs, figured out college life and studied hard to get a degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1962.

He met his wife Anne Vickers McMurtry at OSU during Homecoming week. They began dating just as he was graduating and preparing to go into Officer Candidate School in the Marine Corps. While in OCS at Quantico, Virginia, he was awarded the medal of sharpshooter. He graduated OCS and became an Aircraft Maintenance Officer as a 2nd Lieutenant. Leonard and Anne married May 18, 1963 and lived in both Cherry Point, NC and Pensacola, FL right after marrying. He then received orders to go to Iwakuni, Japan for a year. The Marine Corps did not permit spouses to join their husbands for overseas assignments, so Anne stayed in Stillwater and finished her degree while they spent the year apart. He had many adventures and memories of his time in Japan that he shared with his children over the years but always said being away from Anne was the hardest part. After completing his assignment, he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps as a Captain and came home to start a family with Anne.

His first job was with Soil Conservation Service as an engineer in Clinton, OK, where their first two children were born. In 1970 they jumped at the opportunity to return to Stillwater when he accepted a position as an engineer with USDA in the Farmers Home Administration. Not long after, their third child was born. Leonard worked at FHA until retirement. He made such a difference during his career helping low-income rural families by overseeing the housing developments that FHA funded throughout the state. Always looking out to improve the lives of the residents, he took pride in his job and enjoyed traveling all over the state.

Outside of his career, he loved building anything and everything. He designed and built the house where they raised a family and enjoyed growing a large garden every year. Leonard was never more at home than when he was camping and hunting outdoors and he enjoyed many campfires with friends and family, most especially his brothers. He loved OSU and living in Stillwater. Leonard had a very enjoyable and relaxing retirement life. He had a close-knit group of friends that met on weekdays for morning coffee for over 30 years. Leonard was a great Dad and Grandpa to three children and two grandchildren and enjoyed teaching them constantly about everything he could. He always encouraged them to be independent and successful and was proud of them all.

He is proceeded in death by his parents and siblings: Lois (Jacobs), Bruce, Juanita (Stidham) and Bob.

He is survived by his wife, Anne, his three children: Sherri McMurtry Duvall (husband John and son Bodie), Jennifer McMurtry Hamby, (husband David and daughter Emily), Brian McMurtry, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Those wishing to honor Leonard may do so by donating to “The Food Sacks Program” in his honor.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him - See you around the campfire Leonard!