Jim McMurren

January 6, 1940 - October 27, 2016

Jim McMurren lost his 24-year battle from complications of cancer on Thursday, October 27, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in La Grande, OR to Williard and Ann McMurren, and was the oldest of two children. He moved to Nestor, CA when he was a toddler, and spent the remainder of his life in San Diego. Jim lived a life of adventure, with a strong focus on his love of motorcycles and racing. He served in the Coast Guard Reserves during the Vietnam War and spent the remainder of his youth traveling the country as a professional flat track motorcycle racer, eventually racing as national #11. He was nationally ranked 3rd in 1967 and 2nd in 1969; in 2012 he was inducted into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame. Through motorcycles he gained lifelong friends and met his wife while racing in Wisconsin. The couple settled in San Diego and married in 1974 where they spent their first several years together living on a sailboat. After retiring from professional racing, he co-owned and operated C&M Crane for thirty years. He continued racing recreationally into his early 70s and was involved with motorcycles until his death. Jim was an amazing father to his two daughters and his grandchildren adored him. He loved camping with his family and some of their fondest memories of him are of their trips to the desert or the Pacific Northwest. He is survived by his sister, Kathy (Ray Deitchman); his wife, Nancy; daughters, Lindsey and Kelli and grandchildren Colton and Roxy Riggs.

Santa Fe Speedway