July 19, 2013
July 19, 2013
Dad, I miss you every day.
Reverend Dr. John T. Muir, Jr, of Wichita Falls, Tx , died Wednesday, July 18 in Wichita Falls. He was 76.
Born in Forth Worth, Texas, May 6, 1936, only son of Jack and Oree Muir. Dr. Muir was educated in the Fort Worth Public School system. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Texas Christian University, 1958; a Master of Divinity Degree from Brite Divinity School, Graduate Seminary of TCU, 1962; a Master of Theology Degree from Brite Divinity School, TCU, 1969; and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 1977.
Dr. Muir served as Pastor of the River Oaks Christian Church, Fort Worth; Central Christian Church, Galveston; and Casa View Christian Church in Dallas. He completed his full-time ministry as Senior Pastor of First Christian Church in Wichita Falls, Texas from 1976-1994 and was honored with Minister Emeritus of First Christian Church.
Publications written by Dr. Muir include sermons and articles in The Pulpit Digest, The Disciple, and Net Results. Most recently he published "Prayers: For Private Devotion and Special Occasions" available from Morris Publishing.
In Wichita Falls he served in the following capacities: Member of the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada; Member of the Board of Directors of the Christian Church in the Southwest; President of Wichita Falls Minister's Fellowship; President of Interfaith Disaster Services, Inc. of Wichita Falls; President of Central Area of the Christian Church in the Southwest; President of Samaritan Counseling Center, Inc. Board of Directors; National Evangelism Team Consultant for the National Evangelism Association; Board Member of Hospice of Wichita Falls; Chairman of Church Growth Department Central Area Christian Churches; Chairman of Long Range Planning Interfaith Ministries Board of Directors; served on New Church Task Force, Christian Church in the Southwest; directed Church Growth Seminars in over 25 local churches in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico; and served on Bethania Hospital Ethics Committee. In 2009, Dr. Muir was awarded the Brite Divinity School distinguished minister award.
John married Judy Moss in 1958. He is survived by his wife Judy, children Debbie, John and Angela and their spouses Phyllis, Lesley and David as well as eleven grandchildren: Hannah, Tony, Jordan, Christine, Stephanie, Katie, Charlotte, Ryan, Grace, Simon and Maddie.
Valuing family time above all else, John more than anything loved spending time by the lake surrounded by friends and family. A true embodiment of the Muir competitive spirit you could always find him playing games and having fun with young and old alike. A former TCU letterman and Alum his blood ran true “purple” cheering on the Frogs through the lean years and the good ones. His love of sports was lifelong. John was as a high school football referee, coached basketball teams over the years, and was an avid fan of baseball, always standing behind his beloved Rangers. His infectious smile and that mischievous twinkle in his eye endeared him to everyone and will be forever remembered when he is brought to mind.
Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, July 21 at 2pm, First Christian Church, Wichita Falls, TX. Visitation to follow. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, please make a tribute donation, Memory of John T. Muir to Michael J. Fox Foundation @ www.michaeljfox.org/get-involved/donation.php
At Dr. Muir's request, his body was donated for medical research to UT Southwestern Medical School. Please visit www.john-todd-muir.forevermissed.com to sign guest book with remembrances.
Tributes
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January 2, 2013
January 2, 2013
Dear Judy,
Dr. Muir lived with his illness in the manner that he lived always, with grace and dignity. Dr. Muir baptized me iin 1979, officiated at my wedding in 1980, and he led a prayer at my mother's gravesite service in 2003. A dear, dear man married to a wonderful woman. True devotion.
Dr. Muir lived with his illness in the manner that he lived always, with grace and dignity. Dr. Muir baptized me iin 1979, officiated at my wedding in 1980, and he led a prayer at my mother's gravesite service in 2003. A dear, dear man married to a wonderful woman. True devotion.
September 9, 2012
September 9, 2012
John Muir came to First Christian WF when I was a junior in high school. He and Judy went as sponsors on a KIrk Ringer trip that summer, where John, although he was a leader, was "one of us," too, sharing our fun and mission. I remember one morning we went jogging together with another KR on a humid southern morning, where he kindly slowed his pace for us. I am blessed to have known him.
July 21, 2012
July 21, 2012
To the Muir family: We are very sorry for your loss and wanted to let you know that we are holding you in our thoughts and prayers. Burley & Shirley Cantrell (members of Cypress Creek DOC).
July 21, 2012
July 21, 2012
Truly a good and faithful servant. Would that we all could serve the Lord so well. Our prayers are with John and John and their families, as well as Debbie and Angela and their families. We are sorry for your loss. Our Christian love
July 21, 2012
July 21, 2012
Dear Muir Family,
I am so sorry to hear about John! He was such an amazing person for so many reasons. Time spent with him was such a pleasure. He taught everyone around him by the way he lived his life and the way he cared for others! A Christian by example and deeds not simply words. He lived every day with zest and was a true servant.
I am so sorry to hear about John! He was such an amazing person for so many reasons. Time spent with him was such a pleasure. He taught everyone around him by the way he lived his life and the way he cared for others! A Christian by example and deeds not simply words. He lived every day with zest and was a true servant.
July 21, 2012
July 21, 2012
My heart goes out to the Muir family today. Dr. Muir will always be my pastor. His leadership was a major influence on me as a young person, and the experiences and relationships that I developed as a result of being a part of the First Christian Church family continue to impact my life in a positive way now more than 25 years later. Thank you Dr. Muir!
July 21, 2012
July 21, 2012
John,
Karyn and I have you in our thoughts and prayers
Karyn and I have you in our thoughts and prayers
July 21, 2012
July 21, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Dr. Muir was a wonderful person. I really enjoyed being your neighbor on Brentwood Dr.
July 20, 2012
July 20, 2012
I will remember Dr. Muir as my pastor for the rest of my life. I was 9 years old when he came to FCC Wichita Falls. I went through his Pastor's Class and was baptized by him. He gave me my first job in the church when he hired me to serve as the Summer Intern of FCC Wichita Falls in 1986 and 1987. I would again serve under him from 1996-1999 at FCC Burkburnett. He was a great friend.
July 20, 2012
July 20, 2012
Angela -
I'm so sorry for your loss. I've got you and your family in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Paula Gore
I'm so sorry for your loss. I've got you and your family in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Paula Gore
July 20, 2012
July 20, 2012
I well remember growing up in First Christian Church in Wichita Falls. I especially remember Dr. Muir. The way he got us to listen to the sermon as kids by counting how many times he said a certain word! He was a very peaceful soul and you feel at peace just being around him. My heart goes out to you and your family.
July 20, 2012
July 20, 2012
Although we cannot be there for the tribute to John on Saturday, we wanted to send our condolences. I am thankful that he officiated at James and I's wedding and will forever be immortalized in our wedding pictures! Also, glad we got to visit with him at mom and dad's 50th anniversary party. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. The Deens
July 20, 2012
July 20, 2012
John was not a personal friend of mine, but a colleague that I looked up to and respected. He was highly though of among his Disciples of Christ fellow ministers. Even though he was a casual acquaintance, I can assure you that he inspired a TON of people! He will be missed. We could use more ministers like him. Talk about representative ministry - he embodied it. Fred & Teresa Banda
July 20, 2012
July 20, 2012
Dr Muir will always be my minister. My family loved him so much. I know he is now with my parents. He was such a sweet, gentle man. I was baptized by Dr Muir. I will always remember him and the impact he had on my Christianity. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
July 19, 2013
July 19, 2013
Dad, I miss you every day.
January 2, 2013
January 2, 2013
Dear Judy,
Dr. Muir lived with his illness in the manner that he lived always, with grace and dignity. Dr. Muir baptized me iin 1979, officiated at my wedding in 1980, and he led a prayer at my mother's gravesite service in 2003. A dear, dear man married to a wonderful woman. True devotion.
Dr. Muir lived with his illness in the manner that he lived always, with grace and dignity. Dr. Muir baptized me iin 1979, officiated at my wedding in 1980, and he led a prayer at my mother's gravesite service in 2003. A dear, dear man married to a wonderful woman. True devotion.
September 9, 2012
September 9, 2012
John Muir came to First Christian WF when I was a junior in high school. He and Judy went as sponsors on a KIrk Ringer trip that summer, where John, although he was a leader, was "one of us," too, sharing our fun and mission. I remember one morning we went jogging together with another KR on a humid southern morning, where he kindly slowed his pace for us. I am blessed to have known him.
Gallery
Always an adventure.
Tea time.
So handsome.
TCU Homecoming.
Jack, Oree and little Johnny.
"Play that funky music white boy"
dad_debbie_john_angela
Anything for a laugh!!
Dad ...hamming it up!
Recent stories
Remembering
January 20, 2013
Rev. Muir married us in June, 1970 at Central Christian Church. My father was chairman of the Administrative Board and both he and Rev. Muir worked together to help get the new sanctuary built where we were married almost 43 years ago. He also married my sister and her husband a bit earlier in the year, but in the old sanctuary where my grandparents had attended at one time.
He did have a good sense of humor and seemed to be such a gentle soul. I remember I forgot some of the words to our vows and he bent down to my ear and said "relax - you are doing fine!" I have wedding reception pictures with Rev. Muir in them. I
Remembering Rev. Muir always brings a smile to my face. I cherish his memory.
I can hold my own hand
October 19, 2012
by Judy Chase
As a cousin on his Mother's side I knew him as Johnny. He was 8 years my senior (4 yrs to my sister Suellen), so I don't really have a story of my own. He was an adult as far as I was concerned. I do remember a story my Mother use to tell about Johnny and Aunt Oree. It was while down town and Johnny was about 5 yrs old. As getting ready to cross the street, his Mother said, "here Johnny, hold my hand" at which Johnny replies, "I can hold my own hand". My Mother, Oradine Daniel, wife of Lloyd Daniel, one of Johnny's uncles, thought this was one of the funniest things she ever heard a child say. She always got a great kick out of telling it and I heard it over and over throughout my life. Of course part of those tellings were done by my Aunt Oree. I've always been proud that my cousin was a minister of the gospel. BTW, I was Judy Daniel to the family.
Tiny Cards (Angela Muir McCulley)
August 11, 2012
by Debbie Muir
Maddie (my 11 yr old) and I were talking about Grandad. She was thinking about what to write for his Memorial Service. She said "Mom I know what you should write about." I thought this should be interesting.
"You know those tiny little cards that you won't let me play with because you said they were special, how about that?" The funny thing was, I was just thinking about that very thing and how special those cards are to me.
I am sure by now that if you don't know by personal experience you have heard that my dad is very competitive. Not foam at the mouth kick your butt competitive, but a sly quite never knew what hit you until its all over competitor. Well games, and particularly card games, started in our family at an early age. Being the youngest, I was left out of many of the card nights (usually at Estes Park on our yearly trek to Colorado). My brother and sister couldn't stand waiting for me to lay out all of my cards because my hands were to small to hold them.
Low and behold I was given the tiniest deck of Betsy Clark playing cards you have ever seen. Tiny. Really tiny and they fit perfectly in my hands. I then became a part of the card playing nights. Much to Debbie and John's complete annoyment to have to play with those cards, my dad would insist that we play with them. Even if it was for only one game.
The memory of my dad holding those TINY cards in is hands (and making everyone else cooperate) holds the very picture of love, sacrifice and grace that was, and is, my dad.