Brian G. McMurry

Brian G. McMurry, 46, longtime Kittitas Valley resident, passed away on Friday, June 17, 2022 at his home surrounded by his wife and kids after a 19 month battle with metastatic colon cancer.  A private family service will be held at a later date.

Brian was born on May 11,1976 in Portland, Oregon to Danny & Teresa (Burdick) McMurry, spending his early years in Chinook, Washington before his mother moved the family to Kittitas when he was five. He grew up in Kittitas and attended school there. Though Brian dabbled in other work as a young adult, he settled in comfortably to hay farming. Some of the joys he found on the farm included seeing all of the wildlife and being outdoors. He began working for Jack Clerf in 1999 and eventually the Poulsen Brothers in 2014. Like most farmers Brian became the “Jack of all Trades” due to the infinite tasks involved in managing a farm. Brian was not shy of physical labor and never missed a day of work.  

In August of 1997, Brian and Kerry started their romance. His mother, “the matchmaker”, brought them together again… though the two weren’t strangers. Brian and Kerry had  both grown up together in the Kittitas area and had childhood crushes. Their relationship developed over the course of a couple years and they were married on August 7, 1999.  They made their home on the Kittitas Highway in late 2001 and have resided there ever since.

Brian loved spending time outside - riding the quad (and later his new side by side), camping, kayaking and swimming. He also enjoyed traveling to the Oregon coast and Mexican Riviera. He loved good wine and beer and enjoyed going on tastings. Other hobbies included gardening and backyard barbecuing. He was quite talented in the BBQ arena and his family will fondly remember his culinary skills at smoking various kinds of meats. 

Brian was recognized as someone with a big heart who loved deeply. His warm smile lit up the room and his bellowing laugh was contagious. He was a gentle and kind soul.  Above all Brian was devoted to his wife and daughters.

Brian is survived by his wife Kerry; daughters Karina (Joseph) Montaño and Melanie McMurry; stepfather David Everett; father Danny (Virlene) McMurry; sisters Angela (Frank) Hastings and Vickie (Kori) Winegar as well as many extended family members and dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Teresa Everett.

Memorial contributions in Brian’s honor are suggested to Hospice Friends, 302 E. Second Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926.

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Brian and his family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com