Murray Edward Abowitz

The world is reduced today by the loss of Murray Edward Abowitz (b. 4.5.41), beloved husband, father, pop-pop and friend. A child of post-war West Philadelphia, Murray was a graduate of the city's finest educational institutions, earning his high school degree from Central High and his college degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. It was not until after college, however, that he encountered his life's guidance. Through a fraternity brother, Murray met Elizabeth Jean Hartelius, his Jersey Girl. They married in 1966, beginning a life-long partnership. Betty gave him a firm foundation, making it possible for him to strive and succeed. Together, they moved west. Rather than regretting the move across country, away from family and all that was familiar, he embraced the opportunity of his own land run and made the most of it. With a law degree from Seton Hall/Oklahoma City University, he took on his new town. The practice of his law was his purpose. He reveled in strategy. He was a courtroom warrior. He was a fierce advocate with a sharp mind who could captivate a room - even with a boring story. He took cases that he was not supposed to win and won them. He built a reputation. He built a firm. No one was surprised (except maybe him) when he was elected into the American College of Trial Lawyers - the top 1% of trial lawyers in the country - in 1987. He loved a party - lobster fests with the work team, parties at the Swizzle Inn in Bermuda, birthday parties where he could provide just a little bit (or maybe a lot) of off color entertainment, or bounce in a bouncy house with his grandson. He told uproarious jokes (though he often started laughing before he got to the punch line). He cut a rug - Murray and Betty were known to dance at every possible occasion, including in their own living room. He mixed a mean Martini and no one made a better Manhattan. He was a man of contradictions, a boy from the city who made his home on the range. He viewed the world at once as a place of promise and setback. In spite of his bluster and outrage, he provided stability. He was a man of great imagination, who regularly imagined slights and possibilities. He was a man of great enthusiasm, who swept his friends and family along in his passions - we are all runners, we are all rowers, we all love dogs and guinea pigs, and even the Philadelphia Eagles. We knew he was there for us, even when he was absent. Most of all, he taught us that it is most important to do the right thing when the right thing is the hardest thing to do. He leaves his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Abowitz, and two daughters Alexa Abowitz (Paul Weber) and Kate Norfleet. He also leaves behind his beloved grandson, Grady Norfleet, who was his delight and could always make him giggle more than anyone else. Our distress at losing him is countered only by how lucky we feel to have had him for so long. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 16 at 2pm at Smith & Kernke. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation 725 South Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73129, (405) 232-5900, www.occf.org/ocboat or Free to Live Animal Sanctuary, 9150 S. Western Ave., Guthrie, OK 73044, (405) 282-8617.