James L. Murray

James L. Murray Jr., 71, a resident of LeClaire, Iowa died on Friday, January 9, 2009 at Trinity at Terrace Park Hospital in Bettendorf, Iowa.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 15, 2009 at Our Lady of the River Catholic Church, LeClaire. The family will greet friends from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the church. Family interment services will be held at the Rock Island National Cemetery. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf is assisting the family with arrangements.
He was born August 2, 1937 in Emmet County, Iowa, the son of James L. & Wanda S. (Runke) Murray Sr. On August 31, 1957, he was united in marriage to Doris L. Murphy in Boston, Massachusetts.
Jim served in the U.S. Navy from June 15, 1955 to April 4, 1974 when he was honorably discharged as a Machine Room Chief. (E-7) Following his active military service, he was employed as a machinist and supervisor at the Rock Island Arsenal, retiring on April 2, 1993.
He enjoyed watching college football and basketball, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. In earlier years, he was an avid hunter & fisherman. Motoring around the yard on his lawn tractor whether he was mowing or plowing snow was also a favorite activity. His beloved family, especially his grandchildren & great-grandchildren were the center of his life and he will be sadly missed by those who loved him.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Doris; his children, Scott (Julie) Murray of LeClaire, Vickie (Michael) Gleason of LeClaire, James (Mary Anne) Murray of LeClaire and Janet (Ken) Hill of Port Byron, Illinois; his grandchildren, Scott Jr., Christina, Stephanie, Stacey, James III, Murphy & Louis; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews & cousins.
His sisters, Bernice & Isla and his brothers, George & Gerald preceded him in death.