Murray Lewis Fountain

Murray Lewis Fountain, age 81, of DeTour Village, Michigan, died at Harborview Assisted Living & Hospice in DeTour on July 14, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on March 20, 1942, to Lewis Clark and Leah Mae (Seaman) Fountain. Murray grew up in DeTour and graduated from DeTour Area High School with the Class of 1960. He married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Verna Ann Socia, on August 25, 1962, at the Drummond Congregational Church on Drummond Island, Michigan. They made their first home on Drummond Island as they started their family. In 1971, Murray began a position with Standard Oil, and they relocated to DeTour. Murray later took a position with Autore Oil where he continued to work until his retirement in 2005. Murray loved to hunt, go camping, fishing, boating and woodworking. He also spent many Sunday afternoons taking rides with Verna, whom he affectionately called “hun.” He enjoyed many boating trips to the North Channel with his dear friends. Attending sporting events for his children, grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews brought him immense joy. Murray had a deep affection for children, dedicating countless hours to repairing bicycles and gifting them to youngsters in the community while also patiently teaching numerous children the art of water skiing. Murray was a fixture in the community and was always volunteering his time. He was previously a member of the DeTour Area School Board, DeTour and Drummond Island Fire Department, DeTour Community Choir, Drummond Island Lions Club, DeTour-Drummond Credit Union Board, DeTour Village Council, DeTour Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, Raber Area Sportsman Club, DeTour Passage Museum and most recent served as the Mayor of DeTour. For over three decades, he diligently orchestrated and guided the annual 4th of July procession in DeTour. He displayed unwavering commitment as a dynamic member of the DeTour Union Church, assuming roles as a Trustee, Deacon, and Elder. Murray’s greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends, and was affectionally known as “Uncle Muzz.” He was exceedingly proud of the accomplishments of his three children. One of his greatest memories was accompanying his son Lewis on a Tiger Cruise on the USS Enterprise in 1999. Murray is survived by his wife, Verna Fountain of DeTour; son, Lewis (Wanda) Fountain of Long Beach, Mississippi; daughters, Deborah (Hal) Burton of Drummond Island and Denise (Steve) Willmore of Bountiful, Utah; grandchildren, Joshua Fountain, Clayton Fountain, and Christy (Jim) Mayer; great-grandchildren, Drake Mayer, Brandt Mayer, Orion Fountain, and Everett Fountain; sisters, Linda (George) Rousseau, and Marlene (Dennis) Golovich; and brother, Robert Fountain. Murray was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Leah; sisters, Janice Woods and Ruth Ann Hudak; brother, Russel Fountain; and sister-in-law, Diane Fountain. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 21, 2023, from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM at the DeTour Union Presbyterian Church in DeTour, Michigan. The Funeral Service will follow at 1:30 PM. The final resting place will be Maple Grove Cemetery in DeTour Village, Michigan. Memorial Contributions may be sent to DeTour Union Church, P.O. Box 217 DeTour, MI 49725, or DeTour Ambulance, 260 Superior St. DeTour, MI 49725. Galer Funeral Homes of Pickford, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.

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Murray Lewis Fountain

March 20, 1942 - July 14, 2023