of Conway, AR
January 17, 1945 - January 30, 2023
Harold Wayne Murchison was born January 17, 1945, to Truman Earl Murchison and Florence Nellie D. Cox Murchison at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas. He died January 30, 2023. He is survived by his wife Sylvia; daughter, Heather; granddaughter, Tatum; brother, Ken Murchison (Rieta); sister, Janell Riggs, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and close friends who called him, visited him, and helped care for him. He loved and was loved by all who knew him, his family, his friends, his employees, his customers, his acquaintances, and his bandmates. He was preceded in death by his dad, mom, and son, Wesley. He was a good man.
Harold suffered through many health problems over the last several years with 2022, by far, being the most difficult for him. On Monday, January 30, Harold fell and suffered a head injury and brain bleed. He died peacefully later that night at UAMS in Little Rock. We want to thank the Paramedics and medical staff at Conway Regional Medical Center and UAMS for their exceptional care.
Between the two dates that mark his coming and going, Harold lived a full, happy, and interesting life. He had an ''Ozzie and Harriet'' childhood on Parker Street in North Little Rock and graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1963. In his pre-teen years, he learned to play drums. At around age 13, his dad began driving him to band gigs. Some of the early gigs were in chicken-wire-wrapped band stands in juke joints around North Little Rock and Little Rock. He was too young to be in the joints, but his mom and dad approved, so they let him in to play, and he enjoyed all of it.
In the late sixties, he began playing for Charlie Rich and played and traveled with him through Charlie's 1974 CMA Entertainer of the Year award and Charlie's 1975 ballot-burning announcement of John Denver as the new CMA Entertainer of the Year. Harold played drums everywhere honky-tonks with sawdust floors in Arkansas, Madison Square Garden in New York, NLR High School Band, Miss Arkansas pageants, Broadway productions, Vapors acts, Red Apple Inn acts, sit-ins with local musicians, the Troubadour, Anchorage, Willie Nelson's first picnic, the Pine Bluff Country Club with the Sunnyland Big Band, and many others we do not know about.
When he left the road, his band played at Mariner's Cove in North Little Rock. During that time, he learned the jewelry trade and bought a jewelry business in the Donaghey Building in Little Rock in 1980. His state-wide clients included old money, new money, and little money. He loved performing the jewelry trade for his customers. Harold retired from the jewelry business in 2018, not because he wanted to, but because his health required it. He missed the business and his customers until the end of his life.
There are so many more stories to tell and so much more to say about Harold. He was born in '45, and died in '23, but he sure made the most of the dash in between. He loved playing, partying, and dancing around town in the ninety's, dining out in Little Rock, gambling in Vegas, and hunting escapades at the duck cabin with his friends and brother-in-law Jack. Many of you have your own stories to tell, and we would love to hear them. Our stories are that we loved him, we are grateful he filled our lives with great memories, and we will always miss him.
Join us in celebrating Harold's life at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, on February 4, 2023, with visitation at 1:00pm and service at 2:00pm.
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26 Condolence(s)
Carolyn Enochs
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Heather: I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family.
David Medley
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Just saw the note. Had the joy of growing up with Harold on Parker Street. Went all the through school years with him and also at Pike Ave Baptist Church. He was a phenomenal drummer. So sorry for your loss.
Brian Katilius
Sunday, February 5, 2023
My thoughts with your family. May peace and joy find you and comfort you all during this time. It was a great honor to have know Harold.
Tony & Angela Brighter
Saturday, February 4, 2023
I had the pleasure of living next door to Harold during my early childhood years until he needed more room for Heather and Wesley. Harold remained a close friend of my family over the years. When he moved into the jewelry business, he was the only jeweler we would use. Through the years, I recommended Harold to may friends looking for something that was special. In addition to being a master jeweler, Harold had a passion for photography for many years and both my brother and I were honored for him to do our wedding photos when we got married.
Something special about Harold was that over the years, I have lived in several states but when I would be back in the state and run into him, it was like he just saw me the day before.
Harold was someone that when you met him, you instantly knew you had a friend for life.
Sylvia and Heather, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Harold will be dearly missed for sure.
Tom and Ashley Koonce
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Sylvia and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Back in the LRHO days, Harold was always so much fun and always had a smile on his face. Peace to you all.
Paula N Abshure
Friday, February 3, 2023
I am so very sorry to hear this Harrold was a sweet, kind and loving man. A wonderful friend. Sylvia you and your family are in my prayers.
Jon Huffman
Friday, February 3, 2023
May your rest be peaceful.
May your journey be swift.
May everyday with Jesus be filled with bliss.
Go rest high on that mountain, Hotrod Murchison.
You will be truly missed.
Godspeed.
Robert Tanner
Friday, February 3, 2023
It’s always sad to hear of another passing. I’ve known Harold since we were teenagers. I’ve played music with him, bought jewelry from him, and had many conversations about life. He was the best. He loved drums and music, he loved the jewelry business, and he loved his wife and family.
Harold was genuinely a good man.
Congratulations on a life well lived!
Kathy Lamb
Friday, February 3, 2023
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Harold through my husband, Eddie Lamb. Harold made many beautiful pieces of jewelry for me and it was always fun to go see him for something new. He was a great guy and always had a story to tell and such a wonderful smile. It makes me sad to hear that he has left us but I am sure he is in heaven and at peace. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.
Kathy Lamb
Tommy & Diane Thompson
Friday, February 3, 2023
Rest In Peace, Our Friend. Prayers for All.
Joyce & Dale Moody
Thursday, February 2, 2023
We feel privileged to have known Harold. He was a great man and friend. Our grand and great grands adored him. He crafted my 50th wedding anniversary ring. Will never be the same without Harold He would dress up as Santa for the kids I don’t know who enjoyed it more Harold or the kids. He will missed by so many
Rusty Parker
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Will miss you old friend.
David Perry
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Sorry to learn of Harold passing. Harold and I became friends in NLR in the late 50s
And we’re good friends all these years. Harold always was up beat and had a smile and laugh for you. RIP MY FRIEND
Will Morgan
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Deep sympathy for the family on the loss of Harold. I knew Harold as a skilled jeweler who made several rings for gifts to my wife and family. Was also friends with his wife, Sylvia. I worked with her at Entergy Arkansas until she left for further education and greener pastures. Fond memories of both Harold and Sylvia.
steve wagner
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Mary % i are so sorry for the loss of Harold. We had so many good times over the years and will never forget him.
Betty Goodson
Thursday, February 2, 2023
This so, so sad. Harold was absolutely one great guy. I am one of the lucky ones to have jewelry fashioned by him. He made a beautiful pair of earrings for my husband to surprise me with and I treasure them. My prayers and deepest sympathy goes out to his family.
Donny Newberry
Thursday, February 2, 2023
My deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the Family,Harold was quite the character in high school, mischievous and always entertaining and remained as such till the end. Remained friends with him through the jewelers business and the NLR Reunion Committee. RIP Harold
Carolyn Witherspoon
Thursday, February 2, 2023
So sorry for your loss.
Jim Adams
Thursday, February 2, 2023
My heartfelt thoughts are with the family at this time. Harold was a great guy and he was always accompanied by his infectious smile. RIP Harold!
David Mattox
Thursday, February 2, 2023
So very sorry for your loss but thankful he suffers no more.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. May almighty God bless us with his peace and strength, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Tommy & Karen Malcom
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Clifford R. Pearson jr.
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
To Harold's family... Please accept my deep sorrow and Regret for Harold's passing. He became my Drum teacher for a short while at Boyd's Music and He taught Me Well in the art of Drumming,and we sort of became Acquaintances after that. As a Jeweler he Crafted my Wife's wedding ring... and I saw him at the hospital a number of times When I was taking Care of my Mom and Dad on their way out of this Life. He really made a difference in My Musical Life...Just wanted you'll to Know. RIP Harold...Looking forward to seeing you again Some day.
Lea Ann Milloway Bullington
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Sylvia & Heather, I hate to hear of your loss. Harold was one of my favorites. He held me when I was very little & played the drums. I collected autographed albums, no matter who he was playing with or managed. I was always proud to call him my cousin. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Josh Graves
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
So sorry for y’all’s loss. Heather & Tatum I am praying for you both.
Josh Graves
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
So sorry for y’all’s loss. Heather & Tatum I am praying for you both.
Tommy & Karen Malcom
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.