Obituary of Michael James Urton

Michael James Urton, age 79 of Camdenton, Missouri, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2009 at his home in Camdenton. Mike was born May 7, 1930 in Oakland, California, a son to Wyatt and Rose (McCormick) Urton. On August 25, 1950 he was married to Beverly Ann Phillips and from this union four children were born. Mike was raised in California and after marrying his high school sweetheart Bev, he was drafted into the United States Army (27th Infantry). He was sent to Korea, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. While serving on Heartbreak Ridge, he was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action. After his discharge he went to work for General Foods Corporation in San Leandro, California as a Production Supervisor until his retirement in 1987. In 1989, he and Bev moved to Camdenton, Missouri from where they traveled in their motor home, visiting 49 of the 50 states and Canada. In addition to traveling, Mike was an avid reader and fisherman and enjoyed making the furniture that now fills his home in Camdenton along with other homes around the country. Mike is survived by one brother, Dan and wife Betty of North Carolina; one sister, Rosie and husband Robert Kroll of California; four children; son, Jim and wife Glenna of McKinnleyville, California, daughter, Julie and husband Jerry Farnes of Cordova, Alaska, son, Dan, also of Cordova, Alaska and son, Richard and wife Cathy of Camdenton, Missouri; eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren along with several other relatives and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife Bev; his brother, Tom, and his faithful traveling companion, Abby the cat.