MURRAY, Thomas E., Jr.

The Daily Miner, Kingman, AZ - Published on July 24, 2011 - Thomas E. Murray Jr. passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2011. Tom died peacefully in his sleep while at home with this wife, Linda, in Kingman. Tom was born Oct. 12, 1946, in Philadelphia. A celebration of life service was held Friday, July 15, 2011, at Metcalfe Park, Kingman. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Thomas E. Murray Sr.; his mother, Inez C. Murray; and his brother, Michael Murray. He is survived by his wife and companion of 19 years, Linda Pulliam Murray; their daughter, Glinde Jones, her husband David, and their children, Piper and Joseph of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. He is also survived by his brothers, David Daniel Murray of Gainesville, Ga., Martin John Murray and his wife Judy of Griffin, Ga., Mark Joel Murray, his wife Cheryl and their daughter Erin Murray of Riverdale, Ga., Matthew Murray, his wife Lisa and their daughter Carmel of Keystone Heights, Fla. Tom is also survived by his sisters, Kathleen Deese, her husband Marc, and their son Byron and daughter Alison of Brooksville, Fla., Maureen Ross, her husband Colin and their son Harten and daughters Keelin Ross, Olana Russ, and Hillary Cranston of Anchorage, Alaska, and Carmel Murray of Atlanta. When Tom's family moved to Atlanta from Philadelphia, his early schooling was at Marist Parochial Military Academy where he excelled. His family moved to Mobile, Ala., where he graduated from McGill Toolen High School, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 1964. Tom completed basic training at Fort Gordon, Augusta, Ga., and his advanced infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. It was during jump school that he received a serious neck injury that may have been a contributing factor to his later physical problems with motor neuron disease. Tom shipped out to Korea in May 1965, where he spent most of his time at Camp Casey, Korea, with HHQ 1st BN, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. While patrolling the DMZ, Tom earned his CIB and other awards. He returned from Korea in June 1966 and was discharged at Fort Ord, Calif., with the rank of sergeant on June 5, 1967. At this time, Tom used his GI bill to attend and graduate from Faulkner College in 1971 at Bay Minette, Ala., with an Associate Degree in Business Administration. In 1972 he went on to attend Georgia State University, but became too ill to complete his curriculum. He and his wife Linda moved to Kingman where Tom, a Polar Bear, became active in the VFW and met four other Polar Bears who became the "Kingman Five." The "Five" decided to do something for the city by dedicating a memorial to all Korean Veterans and those still serving on the DMZ, so that their duty of patrolling one of the most dangerous borders in the world would never be forgotten. The memorial was dedicated to the City of Kingman on Nov. 11, 1997. Tom dedicated himself to a career as Service Officer, helping all Veterans who deserved and needed benefits from the VA. Tom worked his magic from many locations during his career: VFW Post 3516, the VA Kingman Clinic, and various other locations (wherever he could obtain space to work with Veterans), and became a Certified Benefits Councilor for the Arizona Department of Veterans Services. Over the 17 years that Tom volunteered his services, he helped thousands of veterans from all wars, and their families, in applying for and receiving needed and earned VA benefits. Tom loved helping "his Vets" but, due to his failing health, was forced to formally retire his services, just a few short years ago. Tom was such a great friend to the County's Veterans who are eternally grateful for all of the help he gave to them and their families. Tom was a wonderful friend and a wonderful man. He will be missed by all who ever came into contact with him. "They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Tom is in God's hands now and will forever be in peace. Tom, we will forever hold you in our hearts and memories, and will always love and miss you!