Victor A. Murdoch
May 27, 1916 ~ July 4, 2008
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Victor (Vic) Augustus Murdoch. 92, of 105 Carrier Street, Asheville, died from cancer on July 4, 2008.
Vic was born on March 27, 1916 in Asheville to E. B. and Mariah Rickman Murdoch. He married his childhood sweetheart, Pauline (Polly) Revis Murdoch, on March 3, 1934. He will be buried beside his beloved wife at Green Hills Cemetery. A graveside service will be at the cemetery on Monday, July 7 at 11:00 a.m.
Vic worked at American Enka for many years. He then worked for National Linen service until his retirement. In retirement, he was a volunteer at Red Cross, taking his ailing wife with him on all his calls. He logged over 3, 500 hours with Red Cross. He then began volunteering at St. Joseph Hospital putting in over 7, 500 hours. He worked as volunteer until the week he was admitted as a patient.
Vic was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline; his son-in-law, Walter Ward, Jr., and his grandson, Walter A. Ward III; five brothers and five sisters;
He is survived by two daughters, Emogene M. Ward, of Winston-Salem, and Marcia D. Murdoch, of Clearwater, FL; three grandchildren Rick Norris, Karen Kaplan, Teresa Norris, and his four great-grandchildren.
Vic enjoyed singing in the church quartet and taking his family camping when his daughters were young. Once his daughters were grown, Vic and his wife traveled abroad to places such as Europe, Switzerland, and Alaska, to name a few. His favorite trips were to Switzerland and Hawaii where he had his picture taken dancing with Charro.
Vic's second love after his wife and family was bird watching. He kept a log in a bird book and would not log a bird sighting unless his wife Polly saw the same bird. When his wife became ill with Alzheimer's, he began painting birds in ceramic. His ceramic hobby increased to include horses, cowboys, and Native Americans. His ceramic paintings were works of art. He also loved classic country music in his surround sound stereo at his home.
Vic was best known for his kindness and generosity. He would help anyone in need. He mowed several neighbor's lawns when they were no longer physically able. He took friends to doctor's appointments and visited friends in the hospital and nursing home.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Western NC Chapter, 31 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801.
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Victor’s Family, To my knowledge Vic was the last surviving first cousin of my Mother. I remember when Vic and Pauline were married and lived on Trotter Place for many years. He was one of the last surviving grandchildren of John Carter and Anna Caroline Rickman. Even at age 92 we are never ready to lose our loved ones. Our only comfort has to come from our Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the manifested concern of others who care. We are thinking of you and will hold you in our prayers. Zunita and Joe Clark
Victor’s Family, I was not quite 5 years old when Vic and Pauline were married. Pauline’s family were our neighbors and Vic was a first cousin of my Mom. Regardless of age we are bever ready to give up our loved ones. We are thinking of you and hope in some small way it does help to know others do care. Mary
Vic was a one-of-a-kind person. We loved him and he will be greatly missed. All that knew him were blessed beyond measure. Life was very full and precious to Vic. Everyone was a friend, even those that he discharged from the hospital. I enjoyed the times he & I would go to breakfast at McDonld’s (just a sausage biscuit & coffee) became much more. We will miss you Vic, but ‘thanks’ for the memories!!
I did not know Vic as well as many of the others. I met him when I started working in Volunteer Services in April. He was such a special man that truly touched my heart and made a lasting memory for me. He was still giving right up to the end. My prayers go out to all the family and friends of Vic.
May God bless you all!
Much love,
Nicki Wiggins
May God bless you and rest in peace.
To the family, sorry for your loss. I did not know Vic, but am a Grandson to Mahala Rickman Gordon. May the abiding peace of the LORD be with you.
Victor was a very special uncle. I loved him very much and he was always positive and always had a laugh for everyone. love, Shirley
Emogene, I was so sorry to learn of the death of Walter and now your father, and wanted you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tom Sublett
Uncle Victor is my Great-Uncle. My dad, Glenn Murdoch, was his nephew. Uncle Victor shared with me all the family geneology. He was a very kind man and I met him in person finally at the funeral of my father. Uncle Victor will be terribly missed.
I worked in the office of National Linen and worked with Vic for many years. He was one of a kind. Never heard a bad word from him or about him. I remember we all tried to get him to share his bag lunch with us as Polly made sure he had a tasty one. He offered to buy us some crackers from the machine but we could forget about his bag lunch. He was a true gentleman and I have always thought so highly of him taking care of his wife during her illness. That is what a true marriage is all about. God Bless Vic’s family.
Dear Imogene and Marcia,
Marie (Tip) and I would like to send our condolences on the death of your father. Do you remember when we used to swim together at Malvern Hills Pool? We were Susie and Tip Roberts and we sang gospel songs with our family.
I remember that we came to pick you up once (I believe we came on the city bus) to go swimming and you had not finished your cleaning chores. Your mom would not let you go until you finished. Isn’t that an interesting thing to remember?
We remember your Dad and how nice he was to us. We are so glad that you had him with you so many years.
That’s wonderful!
Tip lives in Asheville, where she taught music in public schools for 30 years. She has recently lost her second husband, Leroy Ray. I live with my husband Bob in Cullowhee where we have spent our careers at Western Carolina University.
Our sympathy and God’s blessings.
Susie & Tip
Vic was such a kind and generous person. He was a devoted friend to my mother, Jessie Mae, who cared so much for him. Even in his last days, Vic helped take care of people as he had all his life, and never expressed concern for himself. There are few good people like him. He will be missed and we will think of him and his kindness often.
Vic was a giant of a man and it was a privilege to know him through volunteering. My condolences to all his family. I know he will be missed.
Vic was my former father-in-law, had known him for 50 plus years. He was always a gentleman, and a very good friend all those years. My condolences to his two daughters and his grandchildren. He will always be remembered.
I am Victor’s youngest granddaughter and I wanted to say thank you all for your condolences and prayers. Pappaw was a very special person and will be missed by many. I take comfort in knowing his is reunited with Mammaw in heaven. God bless.
I didn’t know Uncle Victor very well, but we shared emails for a few years. My sister Pam introduced me to Uncle Victor by email. Uncle Victor was my dad’s Uncle, my dad was Glenn Murdoch. Two very good men have been sent to heaven by our father and it gives me great comfort to know that they are together. God Bless all of you.