Such people seem fewer today, and we are all diminished.

Dr. Avery Willis McMurry was probably unknown outside Cleveland County, North Carolina, but in that county he was a legend: a civic leader; a standout surgeon; and a Scout leader whose influence I carry with me to this day. To count him a friend was a joy and an honor all at once. Life's lights are a little dimmer today.

Dr. Avery McMurry
1921 - 2009
SHELBY - Dr. Avery W. McMurry, 87, peacefully died on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, at Hospice Cleveland County, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born Nov. 7, 1921, in Shelby, to the late Andrew Willis and Julia Ligon McMurry. He graduated from the Citadel in 1942 and received his MD Degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1945. Following a year of internship at Pennsylvania Hospital, and then serving two years as Flight Surgeon in Europe with Air Transport Command, he returned to Philadelphia and completed five years of surgical residency. There he met and fell in love with Virginia Faunce. In 1953, they returned to Shelby, were married, and he started his General Surgery practice.  He completed 44 years of private practice in 1997, having served during his career as Chief of Surgery, Chief of Staff, as well as president of the local Medical Society. He was instrumental in starting the Cancer Program and served as chairman for 25 years. The past l8 years (through April 2009), he directed the continuing Medical Education Program at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.  He was a Rotarian for more than 30 years and a Paul Harris award recipient. Other community services were extensive including terms on the Board of Jaycees, Toastmasters, Salvation Army, United Way, Hospice, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts and Cleveland Community Foundation. His service to the American Cancer Society extended more than 43 years including local, state and national offices and a special passion for Relay For Life.  A lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Shelby, he was a Sunday school teacher and deacon and served many years on the local Young Life Committee. He was an Eagle Scout and later received the Silver Beaver service award in 1969. He was particularly proud that his three sons and all four grandsons achieved the rank of Eagle.  Avery was a true southern gentleman known for his love of family, his integrity, his generosity, his dedication to his career, his concern for his patients and his tremendous faith.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Virginia "Ginny" McMurry; his brother, John Eugene McMurry; and sister, Virginia McMurry Jones Love.  Left to cherish his memory are his beloved children, Dr. Warren Winslow McMurry and wife, Linda, of Wilmington, Dr. David Willis McMurry and wife, Susan, of Concord, Harris Ligon McMurry and wife, Margaret, of Chapel Hill and Carol McMurry Driscoll and husband, Rear Admiral Patrick Driscoll, of Norfolk, Va.; as well as 11 grandchildren, Christopher and Hanna McMurry of Wilmington, Avery McMurry of Cary, Ryan David McMurry of Concord, Shannon Weatherly of Washington, DC, Ligon, Lucy and Jane McMurry of Chapel Hill, and Ginny, Katie and John Driscoll of Norfolk, Va.  The family would like to express their grateful appreciation to Avery's faithful and loving caregivers at CRMC, Cleveland Pines, Hospice, special caregiver, Frances Hudson, dedicated friend, Ronnie Jones, and all of "Avery's Angels" in his final days.  Visitation: The family will receive friends Friday, Aug. 14, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and immediately following the funeral services in the Ladies Parlor of First Baptist Church.  Funeral: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2 p.m., Sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Shelby