Murdo Alexander MacLennan

Murdo Alexander MacLennan passed away in Thornton, Colorado on September 19, 2019. He is preceded by his wife Geraldine (Jerry) MacLennan of 52 years, and his parents Alexander and Christine MacLennan. Murdo is survived by his four children; Colleen McKeon, Ronald MacLennan, Annette Gregory, and Kevin MacLennan. In addition, he leaves behind eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Murdo was born on August 26, 1929 in Casper, Wyoming to Christine and Alexander, both recent expats of Scotland. They lived in Toronto, Canada and San Diego, California before settling back in Casper in 1943 as WWII was declared. Murdo served in the Wyoming State Guard in high school, as well as ROTC until graduation, in preparation for service. After one semester of college, Murdo joined the United States Marine Corps on January 29, 1949 and was sent to San Diego Marine Base for boot camp, graduating April 19, 1949. That December Murdo was transferred to Anglico Company, serving as radio operator alongside 90 other Marine and Naval pilots and officers. On September 1, 1950 following the breakout of the Korean War, Murdo and the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment were piped aboard the USS Okanogan by an Irish Marine bagpiper. The same Marine played on board throughout the trip and again when they disembarked in Kobe, Japan on September 16th, 1950.

Murdo was a survivor of the Korean War and the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in particular, serving four years as well as serving with the Korean Marine Corps for four months. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service and was discharged January 28, 1952. He returned home to Casper, Wyoming where he met and eventually married his wife Jerry on June 27, 1953. Murdo went back to school and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1956.

Murdo began his career with Continental Oil Company, starting in their training program, before spending the next 12 years in drilling and production operations throughout the country. In 1967 Murdo joined TRW Controls Corporation as Manager of Petroleum Systems, designing automatic and computer control systems for oilfield and pipeline operations. Ferranti Subsea Systems, headquartered in London, bought out TRW in 1982 and opened offices in Scotland and Texas. Murdo retired in 1986 as General Manager of the UK company in London, and President of the US Company in Houston. He continued to serve as a consultant for the corporation for another two years, traveling the world to work with major U.S. and foreign companies.

Murdo spent his retirement years traveling with Jerry, attending local Scottish festivals and manning the MacLennan Clan tent while supporting grandchildren as they competed in Highland and Irish dance, drumming, bagpiping, and Scottish Highland Games. He loved catching up with veteran buddies at monthly Coopers Troopers and First Marine Division meetings and served as part of a Color Guard for burials at Fort Logan.

Murdo Was A Family Man And A Patriot

He Will Be Missed

A Graveside Service will be held in his honor on Friday, October 11, 2019, 10:00am at Fort Logan National Cemetery (3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado). If you would like to attend, please meet at Staging Area “A” by 9:45am that day.

Donations in memory of Murdo can be made to The Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry Street, Denver, CO 80246.

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Graveside Service: October 11, 2019 10:00 am

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80236
(303) 761-0117
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp