George Murphy McPherson Jr.

Longtime Scott Valley resident George Murphy McPherson Jr. passed away May 2, 2013 in Yreka. He was 85 years old. George was born to George Sr. and Hazel McPherson on September 30, 1927 in Los Angeles. On October 21, 1945 he married Billye Burns, and they were married for 67 years. He served in the United States Army shortly after their marriage. They enjoyed raising their four children and their horses where they lived near Mugginsville in Scott Valley. He loved his whole family, and was always ready to tell his children about his parents, grandparents and great grandparents, all the way back to James Birdseye McPherson, a Civil War Brigadier Major General in the Union Army under General Grant. George was an active member of the Scott Valley Chamber of Commerce, and owner and broker of McPherson Ranch Realty in Fort Jones. He owned and operated Siskiyou Sporting Goods (now Don’s Sporting Goods) in the early 1960's. Before moving to Siskiyou County he was a Redwood City Police Officer. In 1973 George and Billye moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he was hired to organize and establish a police department for the Arizona State Fair and Coliseum. He was Chief of Police and enjoyed many professional sports and activities there. They returned to their beloved home in Scott Valley seven years later. He loved to camp on the Salmon River with his family, and go hunting and fishing in the Marble Mountains. He enjoyed playing horseshoes at family gatherings, refinishing antique furniture and caring for his vegetable garden. All his family benefitted from his wisdom and teaching. George would most like to be remembered for his service as an elder in the Fort Jones Community Church. George was reborn into the family of our Lord Jesus Christ and always served Him faithfully. He founded the Scott Valley Emergency Food Pantry for the Fort Jones Community Church, and the pantry is still servinge the community today. George is survived by his wife, Billye, daughters Dana Spencer, Denise Broomfield and Darcie West, son Jack McPherson and their spouses. They have ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. He will be greeted by his first grandchild, Shannon O’Gorman who preceded him to the great celebration in Heaven. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Fort Jones Community Church in Fort Jones.

George Murphy McPherson Jr.

September 30, 1927 - May 2, 2013