MURRAY, Raymond Francis 1933-2016

MURRAY, KESTEL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/21/2016 at 11:50:02

Raymond Murray

Date Of Birth: February 8, 1933
Date Of Death: January 20, 2016

Service: Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Visitation at Hauser Funeral Home
Friday, January 22, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Scripture Service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Raymond Murray, 82, of West Des Moines, formerly of Waukee and Charles City, died Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines.

A funeral Mass for Ray Murray will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. Reverend Gary Mayer and Reverend Gene Murray will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Charles City. Military honors will be conducted by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held at Hauser Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2016, with a Scripture Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral Mass on Saturday at the church.

Raymond Francis Murray, the son of W. Clare and Mary (Kestel) Murray, was born February 8, 1933 on a family farm near Storm Lake, Iowa. Ray received his education at St. Mary's in Storm Lake graduating in 1951. He then attended one semester at Buena Vista in Storm Lake before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953.

Ray proudly served his country overseas in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1955. He farmed with his dad for one year before meeting Donna Snyder in 1956. On August 23, 1958, Raymond and Donna were united in marriage in Sanborn, Iowa. Ray had enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1957 before his marriage, and he graduated in 1961. He worked in sales for several years for companies in the Iowa City and Charles City areas. The couple moved to their farm north of Charles City in 1970. Ray started his own business in 1974, Farm Chem Corporation, in Floyd. He retired and sold his business in 1993. Ray really enjoyed wintering in Mission, Texas with Donna and his siblings.

Ray was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. He loved his church very much. Ray enjoyed taking fishing trips to Canada with family and friends, hunting pheasants on the family farm with his sons and his friend Ed, playing bridge and traveling to Oshkosh, Wisconsin with his brothers for the air show. He loved a good party, especially family reunions. Ray loved his family very much, cherished time spent with all of them, especially his grandchildren and had a special bond with his daughter, Kay.

Living family members include his three children: Tom (Cindy) Murray of Urbandale, Ron Murray (Christine Kazmier) of De Pere, Wisconsin, and Kay Murray of Johnston; five grandchildren: Matthew, Jacob, Brady, Shelby, and Patrick; four siblings: Kathleen McKenna of San Jose, California, Paul (Martha) Murray of Storm Lake, Maurita Leahy of Davenport and Father Eugene Murray of Marcus; two sisters-in-law: Lila Murray of Storm Lake and Jane Murray of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna, on July 15, 2015; sister, Mary Motz; three brothers: Joe, Bill and Father Edward Murray; and three brothers-in-law: Ed Motz, Cody McKenna and George Leahy.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Parkinson's Support Group of Charles City c/o Carol Quade 2305 March Ave Charles City, Iowa 50616 and/or Hospice of North Iowa 232 2nd Street SE Mason City, Iowa 50401.

Source: Hauser Funeral Home website