James 'Jim' Henry Murray

  James ‘Jim’ Henry Murray was born on January 17, 1941, in De Beque, Colorado, to Nelson Ivan Murray and Luella Eunice (Meineke) Murray. Jim was well known for his devotion and generosity to the Lord, his family, and community, as a teacher, photographer, and as a wood craftsman creating beautiful wood goods and furniture in his woodshop.

  Jim’s childhood days in De Beque, Colorado were spent on the family ranch. In 1957, at 16, Jim attended Campion Academy in Colorado and Keene Academy and Keene Jr. College in Texas. His education continued at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he met his lifelong love and wife, Jerry Frances Jane Hays. They exchanged vows on July 5, 1964, at College View Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. The summer of ’66 Jim graduated from Union College with a degree in education with an emphasis in history. 

  Jim and Jerry enjoyed many years of teaching, traveling, creating home goods, and volunteering together. They were married 53 years. Jim compassionately and lovingly cared for Jerry, afflicted with Alzheimer’s, at home until she was laid to rest July 4, 2017.

  In 1966, Jim’s dedication to Adventist education led him to Maplewood Academy in Minnesota, serving as boys’ dean and history teacher. He then joined the faculty at Enterprise Academy in Kansas and served as the librarian and teacher. Returning to Colorado, he was principal of Aurora Elementary School in Denver and then at Gulf Haven Academy in Houston Texas. Due to a family health issue, the family moved back to Nebraska in 1976, and Jim was librarian and teacher at Platte Valley in Shelton, Nebraska for nearly 10 years. Jim taught and became principal at junior academies in Hawaii beginning in 1986, and worked side by side with Jerry in Montana, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Jim especially enjoyed participating in the annual week-long outdoor school for elementary students which combined his love of education and woodworking.

  After 40 years as a full-time educator, Jim officially retired. However, his commitment to students didn’t wane, and he continued to be a volunteer tutor for Jerry’s students while she taught in Adventist schools in Texas and Michigan for another four years.

  Jim’s legacy lives on through his family. He is survived by his beloved sons, James Allen Murray, Jon Timothy Murray, Michael John Sudano, and Jerold Nelson Murray, his wife, Wendy (Cooper) Murray, and their children, Trent Jerold Murray and Rachel Wendy Murray. 

  He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Mary Ellen (Murray) Schwab, Peggy Ann (Murray) Terry, Donald Fred Murray, and Sarah Elizabeth (Murray) Irons.

  Jim was a loving, faithful husband, father, and friend. Jim passed away on November 19, 2024, in Willow Park, Texas, and is resting until Jesus’ promised return.

  In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting a donation of school supplies to your local school or food donations to a local food pantry as these were dear to Jim’s heart.

  A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the Galbreaith Pickard Hilltop Chapel, 4941 I-20 Service Road, in Willow Park.