Stephen T. McMurtry passed away on March 28, 2022, in his home. He was preceded in death by his wife of over fifty years, Jeannine Gay VanDerVeer. He is survived by his sons, Todd and Quinn and their wives, Maria (Cari) Garriga and Renee Marquette, respectively. He left the world with seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Professionally, he had a distinguished legal career. Always a gentleman, nearly every lawyer who knew him respected his legal skills and professionalism. His most significant client was the City of Covington, whom he served for nearly 30 years. He amassed an amazing record of trial victories in cases ranging from slip and falls to wrongful death. In that Covington was uninsured during that time, it is no exaggeration to say he repeatedly, and single-handedly, kept the city out of bankruptcy. During the 1980s and 90s, he won twenty straight jury verdicts for Covington. Stephen’s personality was formed growing up in east Tennessee. He spent his childhood exploring the woods, playing basketball, and training as an elite fencer under a Hungarian, former Olympian, coach. It is said he once defeated the future captain of University of Notre Dame’s fencing team. At Centre College, he graduated first in his class among the men, was president of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and the starting point guard for the varsity basketball team all four years. Upon graduation from Centre, he attended Tulane Law School on a full scholarship. Even in his hospice days, he spoke most fondly of the time spent in New Orleans. He worked as a coat check man at the Playboy Club, where Jeannine was the Door Bunny. Their transportation was a single bicycle; he pedaled while Jeannine floated on the handlebars. There were also numerous tales of the apartment on Britannia Street. The peculiar combination of brains, athletic skill, and movie-star-like looks gave him a natural confidence that permeated his relationships with others. He never felt threatened or inadequate, so he could always take adversity in stride and act with confidence. This confidence allowed him to be generous and forgiving towards others. His multiple successes did not exclusively define him. It was his marriage to Jeannine that was most central to his existence. Strong partners who loved each other immensely, they were also capable business partners. In the 1970s and 80s, they purchased and rehabilitated a number of buildings in the Historic Licking Riverside District. Together, they envisioned this area as it is today. And, with several other “Urban Pioneers,” began the transformation the Licking Riverside area from a blighted area to the current vibrant community. This pioneering group also had great fun. Stephen and Jeannine held many parties unimaginable by today’s standards. They included full outdoor dramatic productions, plane flyovers, and mysterious characters such as Dale Sword. This group of rebellious misfits established the base for a great neighborhood and built strong and lasting friendships. Interestingly, Stephen did not have hobbies. He practiced law and worked tirelessly on the real estate holdings. Sundays found him singing in the choir at Trinity Episcopal, and later attending St. Paul’s Episcopal. His one indulgence was Saturday morning tennis with his good friend, Jim Brannen. Later in life you could always find him holding court with Jim’s brother Chas at the Roebling Coffee House. Of course, there were many other good friends and law partners, but Jim and Chas were with him from beginning to end. His grandchildren, Ana Cristina (Jon Moore), Stephen (Elise), William, Celeste, Camille, Kiernan, and Garrett, and his great-grandchildren JT and Molly Moore will enhance Stephen’s legacy with tales of the fictional Dale Sword, the succession of rottweilers (Dancer, Donder, Blitzen, Clover) and wife Jeannine. Sandford Street in Covington will never be the same. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 7 at noon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newport, Kentucky followed by a reception, also at St. Paul’s. In lieu of flowers, donations to St Paul’s Episcopal Church are suggested. Online condolences may be expressed on Facebook or at SerenityFuneralCare.com