Nathan McMurrin, 89, of Davenport, Iowa passed away on June 27 ^th 2021 in Usk, Washington.

Nathan was born on September 11th, 1931 to Albert and Myrtle McMurrin in Wakarusa Indiana.  He was one of six children. After graduating from Franklin High School in Franklin, Ohio in 1949, he went on to study Education at Miami of Ohio (BS) and at Kent State (MS).

Nathan met Carolyn Hicks while they were both studying for their Master's at Kent State.  They wed on December 27 ^th 1960, and raised three children, David, Susan and Doug, and had five grandchildren, Thomas, Amelia, Elizabeth, Jessica and Melia, and one great-grandchild, Simon.

While at Miami University Nathan participated in the USAF ROTC program.  He received his commission as an officer and attended pilot training.  His passion for aviation resulted in completing his Certified Flight Instructor license.  He enjoyed flying his family between Iowa and Ohio while on vacation.

Nathan's work experience included teaching Industrial Arts, Mathematics and Aeromodelling in Ohio and Iowa.  He advanced in his education career to work as an Elementary School Principal in Chariton and Algona Iowa.  Nathan loved education and spent a lifetime learning how to be a better educator and finding new ways to teach on the subjects he most enjoyed.

In addition to teaching, Nathan also worked for the US Army, first as a machinist and then as an early childhood education specialist.  He was responsible for reviewing and making improvements to Army childcare facilities throughout the United States.

Nathan was never one to sit still and throughout his life challenged himself with new opportunities.  He was creative and could always devise a new mechanism for whatever he needed, whether it was a homemade scooter for transportation as a teenager, or specialized equipment for processing grain on his acreage.

Among Nathan's most consuming hobbies was horticulture.  He was known for his very large and productive gardens.  He spent years creating these amazing gardens and reaped years of wholesome home-grown vegetables and fruit which he generously shared with friends and family.

He also greatly enjoyed music and could play any tune he heard on his clarinet.  His love of music began as a child, singing with his brothers and sister in the church choir.  He was baptized in the Christian faith and It was through music and hymns that Nathan felt his deepest connection with the faith in God he learned as boy from his loving parents.

Nathan was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Myrtle, his sister Norma, and his brothers Lee, Paul, and Dwight.   He is survived by his wife Carolyn, his children David, Susan, and Doug, and his brother Roger.

The family requests that all flowers are sent to 117 E 7 ^th St, Usk WA 99180, and notes are sent to PO Box 370, Usk, WA 99180. There will be a memorial for Nathan at 4pm (PDT) on July 21 ^st at the home of Gary and Susan Frisque, 117 E 7 ^th St, Usk, WA 99180.