Roofer James Murton Remembered for Roofing Miami’s Most Recognized Buildings

James Murton started Murton Roofing in 1976 with two of his brothers and focused on commercial properties.

Murton’s daughter told the Miami Herald, that Murton, who died at 64 on August 2 from liver cancer, is behind a major part of some of South Florida’s most familiar buildings. Among the recognizable buildings he roofed are: Aventura, Sawgrass and Dolphin malls. American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale. Portions of Miami International Airport, Baptist Health’s Homestead Hospital and The Four Seasons Miami.

In 2000, Murton was one of seven visionaries who founded the national partnership Tecta America where his company became a subsidiary and he continued to run the business until his retirement in 2005. It was then he became the director of Tecta’s national hurricane response team, leading efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Tecta recognized Murton’s contribution in a recent Facebook post saying, “We lost a great friend this weekend. Jim Murton was one of Tecta’s original founders and could light up a room. The original founder of Murton Roofing in Miami and a key individual in the formation of Tecta, the turnaround, and the ultimate success of our company. He made a considerable impression everywhere he went and will leave an incredible legacy at Tecta. He will be deeply missed.”

The Miami Herald reported that Murton was born in Cleveland, Ohio on Dec. 10, 1954 and was the youngest of eight children. The family lived in a two-bedroom, one-bath home and his father, Ed, was Murton’s inspiration. A self-taught roofer, Ed never went to school beyond the sixth grade.

Murton’s daughter Devin told the Herald, “My father was so amazed by my grandfather’s intelligence,” his daughter Devin said. “He could figure out anything and was innovative. He taught my dad about working hard and to keep your head down and stay focused.”

“He loved to learn and this is the thing I loved most about him,” said his daughter, who founded her own roofing company, Long Lasting Roofing, also in Medley.

Services for Morton will be held 4:00 p.m.  August 14 at Epiphany Church, 8235 SW 57th Avenue  - which sports a roof that Morton worked on.

Original article source: Miami Herald.