WILMINGTON — John R. Murchison II died peacefully on June 28, 2025 at the Lower Cape Fear Life Care and Hospice Center following a fishing accident just a few days before. He was doing what he most loved to do, in one of the places he most loved to be, with two of the many people he greatly loved.
He was born May 6, 1929 to May Carmichael Murchison and Dr. David R. Murchison. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Frances Penton Murchison; his brothers David R. Murchison, Jr. (Charlotte), Wallace C. Murchison (Susan) and Joel Williams Murchison; sister Loulie M. Eggleston (Purnell); his niece Charlotte S. Murchison; and his nephew David R. Murchison III.
He is survived by his beloved sister-in-law and later-in-life companion Ann Penton Longley; his daughter Frances D. Murchison (Jay); his son John Reid Murchison III (Linda), his grandson John Reid Sidebotham (Greyson); his granddaughters Helen Sidebotham Johnson (Conor), Clare Murchison Powers (David) and Sarah Murchison Campbell (Andy); his great-grandsons J. Reid Sidebotham, William Sidebotham, Jack Campbell, Stuart Campbell, Drew Campbell, Spencer Powers, Mac Powers and Teddy Powers; and his great-granddaughters Sutton Sidebotham, Mary Frances Campbell, Nell Johnson and May Johnson; six nieces; seven nephews; seven great-nieces; eight great-nephews and countless cousins once, twice, thrice and four-times removed. He loved them all.
He attended Tileston School and graduated from Episcopal High School in 1947. Following his graduation from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1951, where he was the Captain of the Carolina lacrosse team, he followed into military service his three brothers who had served in the Army or Navy during World War II, joining the Army during the Korean War. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers upon graduating from OCS and was honorably discharged upon the war’s end.
Just days before entering OCS, he married his high school sweetheart and great love of his life, Frances Penton, on September 11, 1952. After postings in Virginia and Texas with the military, they returned to Wilmington where he joined the family business, J.W. Murchison Company, a wholesale hardware and sporting goods distributor. When his oldest brother died way too early in 1963, he became President and CEO of the company, serving in that capacity for it and its successor company until his death.
In keeping with his life motto, “Leave everything better than I found it,” inspired by the last message of the Boy Scout’s founder to that organization, he volunteered in so many ways with so many community efforts during his 96 years, serving on numerous local boards and contributing generously to many initiatives. He was a member of the Wilmington Rotary Club for close to 70 years, holding badge #1 at the time of the death, and sought to live his life in accord with Rotary’s 4-Way Test. He was deeply committed to his church, the Cursillo movement and anything having to do with spiritual renewal. Three of his most gratifying involvements in the latter half of his life were helping to build any number of Habitat for Humanity homes, volunteering at the night shelter for the homeless at St. James Parish before the St. James Annex overnight shelter at Good Shepherd Center was constructed, and helping coordinate Good Shepherd’s Second Helpings ministry.
He never sought honors, fame or great wealth. He sought avenues in which to serve; he sought friends with whom to enjoy all that life offers.
He was known for his warmth, his boundless energy, his inclusivity, his love for family and friends, his exemplary role model as the devoted care giver to his beloved wife; his great concern for the welfare of others; his sourdough bread ministry; and his unceasing desire to be on the water, fishing somewhere in this southeastern North Carolina corner of God’s beautiful creation.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at St. James Parish, with a reception in the church’s Perry Hall following the service. A nursery will be provided. All are welcome. The service will also be livestreamed via the church’s website, stjamesp.org. Family will be receiving friends and family visitors from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Tuesday, July 1st at his residence, 1930 Ashbrook Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made either to St. James Parish, 25 South Third Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 or to Good Shepherd Center, 811 Martin Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.
