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MURRAY -- Cdr. Jack Lee Murray, (USN, ret.), passed away at his home on 30 June 2008, with family at his side. He was born in Meeker, OK on September 1, 1930 and grew up in rural Oklahoma. He loved Western movies and was a lifelong John Wayne fan. Heavily involved with the Boy Scouts of America, he passed a love of scouting along to his children. Jack enlisted in the United States Navy in 1947 and served proudly for 28 years, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 1955 and retiring as a Commander in 1975. On his Christmas leave in 1951, he met Gerene Mitchell, and they were married on March 4, 1952. After retiring, Jack completed studies began through correspondence abroad and achieved a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies from the University of New Mexico, also earning a Phi Beta Kappa Key. Jack and Gerene were active in the square dance community, where Jack was a caller for nearly 30 years. They enjoyed traveling throughout the country in their RV, particularly trips their granddaughters took with them. Jack was a history buff and loved to go to casinos. He had a wondrous sense of humor and a dry wit that adorned his natural storytelling ability. A great singer with a perfect ear, Jack taught himself to play guitar and banjo and enjoyed jam sessions with family and friends. He was an avid reader. Jack loved his family and enjoyed being a husband, a father, and a grandfather -"Po." Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Gerene; his parents, Jessie Mae Myrick Powell Murray White and George Lee Murray; his sister, Melba Murray Bell, and his half-brother Bob Powell. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Michael Miller; son and daughter-in-law, SSgt. Dennis (USMC, Ret.) and Diana Murray; granddaughters, Michelle York, Christina Johnstad, and Holly Castillo and their families, including great-grandchildren, Christopher York, Jr., Edward Sedillo, Jr., and Topanga, Diamond, and Emerald Sedillo. He is also survived by grand-sons-in-law, Chris York, CJ Johnstad, Julian Castillo; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, family, and friends. Jack was greatly loved and will be dearly missed. Memorial Service will be held July 11, 2008 at 2:00 p.m., at Asbury United Methodist Church, 10000 Candelaria NE, Albuquerque, NM. He is at rest in Santa Fe National Cemetery.
        Published on: Thu July 10, 2008