Murray Tarkington

Murray Tarkington was born April 11, 1933, in Cuero Texas. He died surrounded by his family on August 7, 2024, at age 91. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Kaye Morganroth Tarkington; his parents, Powis Franklin Tarkington and Irene Adair Tarkington; and brother, Powis Tarkington, Jr.

Murray attended Cuero High School and loved playing football, basketball, track and field. He graduated with a BBA from the University of Texas in Austin where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and forever loved cheering for The Longhorns. He was a distinguished military graduate of UT ROTC.

Murray served in the U.S. Army; two years active duty, six years reserve and one year in the Korean War having attained the rank of First Lieutenant. After returning from the Army, he moved back to Cuero and met the first love of his life, Kaye Tarkington. He and Kaye were married 35 years and had three children, Lauren Tarkington, Lisa Piland (Todd) and Shelley Tarkington (April).

After settling in Cuero, he joined his father as a junior partner in Powis F. Tarkington Cotton Co. and then spent 40 years as an insurance agent with Conrad and Tarkington.

Murray devotedly served Grace Episcopal Church as a vestry member, as well as Junior and Senior Warden. His community service included:

President of the Cuero Chamber of Commerce and awarded Citizen of the Year in 1989.

President, Cuero Lions Club; President, Cuero Country Club; Board member of Gulf Bend MHMR; Cuero Industrial Foundation; Board member of Buchel Bank and Trust Company; Co-Chairman Cuero Turkey Trot; DeWitt County Appraisal District Board member. He also spent many years coaching Little League as well as participating in the Cuero High School Booster Club.

He was an avid golfer all his life and enjoyed playing as well as watching all sports. He also loved hunting and fishing.

In 1999 he married the second love of his life, Frances Scott Tarkington and they spent a wonderful 25 years together. They first met in college at the University of Texas and reconnected 50 years later.

Murray loved his family fiercely. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his joy, and he spent as much time as he could with them.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Scott Tarkington and her daughter Courtney Nyhuis (Paul), his 3 children, son in law, Todd Piland, daughter in law, April Tarkington; grandchildren, Paige Piland Griffin (Ryan), Cates Piland Vanham (Riley), Grant Piland (Morgan), Huntley Tarkington, Levi Tarkington, Sean Gilleran (Linda), Kirk Gilleran and Hunter Nyhuis; great grandchildren, Adair Griffin, Lila Griffin, Everett Griffin, Riley Vanham, Ava Vanham, Weston Piland and Carter Piland.

Murray is also survived by longtime friends Lias B. (Bubba) Steen, Bert (Mr. Boyd) Stubbs, Frank Henderson, Munson Smith and Bill Keyworth along with all his wonderful Rockport golf and lunch buddies. He was such a social bird and had so many lifelong friends that he kept up with, whether through daily phone calls, emails or weekly lunches up until the very end. It seems he never met a stranger.

We would like to thank his friend and caretaker Phyllis Donoho for all her wonderful care and kindness over the last few weeks. She was an angel sent from heaven. Also, we thank Cecilia Santillan for her 10-year friendship and service to our family.

There will be a celebration of life at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Rockport, Tx, Saturday, August 17th at 1:00 PM. St. Peter’s is located at 555 Enterprise Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 1807, Rockport, TX. 78381. If you would prefer to donate online, the link is onrealm.org.