Rodney Murdaugh

Rodney Wayne Murdaugh, 86, of Springfield, MO, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2024. He was born September 30, 1938, to Rev. Willis Murdaugh and Ava (White) Murdaugh in Springfield, MO. He attended elementary school, Pipkin Jr. High School, and graduated from Central High School in 1956.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother-in-law Richard and Ruby DeBerry, his wife of 62 years, Sharon (DeBerry) Murdaugh, his brother Willis Lance Murdaugh, his sister Jeanne Wright and her husband John Wright, his sister Reta Scola, his brother-in-law Kent McDaniel, his daughter Sherri Lynn Murdaugh, and his niece Meagan Murdaugh.

Rodney met his wife Sharon at church when he was 15 and she was 14. They dated through high school and married on July 5, 1957. Shortly after their marriage, Rodney left to report for Marine basic training at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA. Five months later, Sharon joined him and in November, 1958, their daughter Sherri Lynn was born. Rodney was stationed in Oceanside until his honorable discharge in June, 1959, and they returned to Springfield. They went on to have four additional children, Randy, Dea, Greg, and Paul.

Rodney’s life became intertwined with music from a young age. He had a beautiful singing voice and he sang in the church choir and in school musicals. A family friend taught him to tune pianos, which gave him an opportunity to provide for his family doing something he loved. He went on to study piano repair, restoration, and rebuilding. He built a successful tuning and repair business that lasted over 50 years. He finally retired when he was 74.

Rodney shared a love of music with Sharon. In the early 1970’s, they started a musical duo. He played the organ and she played the drums while they both sang. They were first hired by the Holiday Inn to play in the Red Slipper Lounge. They went on to perform at the Twin Oaks Country Club, the Shady Inn, and finally the Golden Lion Restaurant and Bar. They garnered many admirers over the decades they played and sang together.

Rodney was an avid reader for both entertainment and knowledge. If he wanted to know how to do something, he simply bought one or more books on the subject and soon he became an expert. He used this for all kinds of things, including advancing his piano knowledge, investing in the stock market, and everything in between.

Rodney was a loving husband, father, Papa, and Great Papa. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his son Randy (Sherri), daughter Dea Leggett (Wes), son Greg (Shelley), and son Paul, as well as 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Steve Murdaugh (Dianne), his sister-in-law Roberta Murdaugh, his brother-in-law Joe Scola, his sister-in-law Susan McDaniel, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home on Friday, December 6, at 10:00 AM with Pastor Phillip Wright officiating. Committal servicew with Military Honors will be at 11 am Thursday, December 12, 2024 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery 5201 S. Southwood Road Springfield, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers contributions in Rodney's memory may be made to Jacob's Ladder End of Life Legacy Home 2343 N. Delaware Ave. Springfield, MO 65803.