Murrey Lonn Grider of Pocahontas, Arkansas, passed away from this life on February 24, 2026. He was born January 8, 1944, to Murrey J. Grider and Janice (Huckaby) Grider, both of whom predeceased him. He was also preceded in death by his nephew, John Allen Yarbrough.

He is survived by his brother Billy (Vicky) Grider of Hot Springs; his son Joe (Brandy) Grider of Pocahontas; his daughter Suzanne (Norm) Frisby of Hot Springs; and his grandchildren Elizabeth (Noah) Bandy, Rebekah, Matthew and Jacob Grider, Kellen Frisby, and his great grandson Miles Bandy, along with a host of great nieces and great nephews.

After graduating from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1965 with a degree in mechanical engineering, Murrey went to work for Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut, later relocating to Florida. There, he worked on the ignition systems for the SR-71 Blackbird and the earlier version of the Space Shuttle. While in Connecticut, he met Carol Balboni, whom he married in April of 1969. Murrey decided to change careers and go to law school. He graduated the second time from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1974. Murrey then moved his family to Pocahontas, where he practiced law for over 20 years.

Murrey valued the many friendships he developed over the years. Dick Jarboe was his closest friend. Murrey enjoyed his time crafting legal arguments and chasing legal windmills with Dick, but his best times were when they were out fishing on Dick’s boat. After retiring, Murrey would go to weekly lunches with a group of retired Randolph County employees. Most of the time, politics and religion were discussed, which usually ended with someone in the group offering to pray for Murrey. He also spent his free time discussing politics and law with his old friends, Jim Petty and Larry Kirk.

His passion for justice led him on several occasions to represent someone who didn’t have much, if any, money to pay him or the cost. Much like the late Senator Robert Kennedy, when Murrey saw a wrong, he tried to right it, and when he saw suffering, he tried to stop it.

Murrey’s biggest love was his grandchildren. He made it a point to go to watch Elizabeth and Rebekah at their swim meets, whether they were in Arkansas, Iowa, Virginia, or Texas. After the girls’ time on the swim team ended, he started teaching Matthew and Jacob how to play chess and went to their chess matches. As Matthew and Jacob got better at chess, they enjoyed trash-talking to Murrey. Of course, he had to take it since he had done the same thing to them. Murrey also enjoyed visiting Kellen and hearing about his trips with his parents or his latest video game adventure.

The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to Murrey’s caregivers and friends: Sherry Sisney of Pocahontas, Davita Pocahontas Dialysis, Futrell Pharmacy, Pocahontas Medical Clinic, Lawrence Hall, and St. Bernard’s Medical Center.

Murrey had requested that he be cremated and that the family not hold a service, but instead take his ashes to Alaska and scatter them on the water. To honor Murrey, please send memorials to the Doni Martin Center, 1506 N. Park St., Pocahontas, AR.