Dr. George A. Murrell

In his early childhood, George invented his own games, imagined himself to be the strong native warrior ‘Ikki Maku’, and became proficient with his self-made spears.  In his teens, George crafted beautiful wood furniture pieces that are singularly unique, and still in use today.  While in high school, George served as student body President and Captain of the swimming team.  His active-duty service as an officer in the Navy during World War II helped to further cultivate his innate senses of responsibility, duty, professionalism, respect for others, friendship, and decorum.  These are the very qualities that George believed are at the core of the membership of the Academy of Prosthodontics and explains why he so highly valued this Academy.

Immediately following the war, George completed his bachelor’s degree in Zoology at DePauw University. He then continued his scientific interests with a master’s degree at the University of Southern California, where he met the true love of his life, Anne-Merelie.  In 1949 they married, and soon after he applied and was accepted to the USC School of Dentistry.  Anne-Merelie and George supported themselves with multiple jobs during his years at dental school, where he graduated 2nd in the class of 1954, receiving the Atwater award for clinical excellence, along with memberships in OKU and Sigma Xi.  George started private dental practice in El Segundo and Manhattan Beach, and also assumed part-time teaching roles at USC in prosthodontics.  In the 1960’s, George established a strong working relationship with Earl Pound, and helped develop concepts in denture occlusion, esthetics, and tooth positioning.  George was introduced to the Academy of Prosthodontics, as well as other prominent dental organizations, and was inspired by the collaboration of sharing research and teaching.  In 1975 George became a member of the Academy of Prosthodontics, as well as a Founding member of the Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.  George continued to take on many roles in other dental organizations, and served as President of this Academy in 2004, with the Annual Session being held in Niagara Falls.

George truly savored and treasured the professional camaraderie at the annual sessions, he very much enjoyed the experience of seeing and sharing different locations with academy members. It was fun for him to be the local arrangements chair for the 1990 meeting in Palm Springs, and he derived great enjoyment in developing the unusual evening gathering that was held at Harriet and Pappy’s restaurant and bar in the remote high desert location of Pioneer town.  Academy members who attended were treated to the unique experience provided by the inclusion of the usual ‘local’ bar clients, punctuated by the appearance of the woman in white buckskins and her pet deer.  At the Academy meetings in recent years, the overwhelming display of friendship and kindness exhibited by so many of the members gave George much joy and sustained him greatly.

George enjoyed teaching and seeing the success of those that he had mentored.  He derived great satisfaction in witnessing the accomplishments of these individuals, and this gave him much fulfillment.  He was also very appreciative of the time, energy, and dedication given to him by those people that supported him in his own accomplishments.

George led a very full life.  He was devoted to his wife Anne-Merelie and treasured the almost 72 years of marriage to her.  He was also devoted to his children Merelie and John and took his family on many vacations around the world.  He had an appreciation for great artistry and had a sense of style that affected much of what he did. He was passionate about dentistry, and dedicated his professional life to his patients, dental colleagues, and organizations.  He expected excellence from himself and appreciated it when demonstrated by others.  George passed away peacefully at his home on June 19, 2021, in the company of his wife and daughter.  He is missed by many who knew him, and the memories of shared good experiences will be enjoyed by those who did.

Prepared by Academy Fellow,
Dr. Baldwin Marchack