Raymond J. Murray, 78

Raymond J. Murray, 78, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021, at his home in Hampton.  He was born on March 14, 1942, in Charles City, Iowa, to John and Mary (Joerger) Murray.

Ray graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Charles City and attended NIACC.  He married the love of his life, Trisha Henke, on September 12, 1964, in Charles City.  They had 4 energetic boys whom Ray loved very deeply.

Ray worked as a machinist for United Hydraulics and for the Hampton-Dumont Community School district as a custodian.  He loved working at the school, where he was known and loved by students and staff alike.  

Ray was also an active member of Knights of Columbus since he was 18; and became a 4 Degree Knight.  He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hampton, and a former member of the Hampton Jaycees.

There wasn’t much in life Ray didn’t enjoy.  Some of his favorite pastimes included fishing, golfing, gardening, bowling, and grilling.  He loved sports, whether he was watching or participating.  Ray coached Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball for many years, and umpired many of his grandchildren’s games as time went on.  He religiously kept up with Iowa State sports and the Boston Red Sox.  Ray was extremely proud of his Irish Heritage and you could find him representing it with his favorite shirts, unless it was game day of course.  He also enjoyed his days spent at the family camper in Minnesota, where he spent much of his time fishing and where he also made lifelong friends.

Ray loved his family dearly and most of his time was spent with them.  He was a very caring man, a trait that he passed on to his sons.  If the grandchildren were stopping by, you were almost guaranteed to find Ray in the kitchen baking his infamous cookies.  Ray took pride in his kids and grandchildren, supporting them at any school function he was able to attend, and always lending them a helping hand without being asked.  He was a notorious jokester who was great at riling the grandkids up, a pastime he took too much enjoyment in. 

Ray is survived by his wife Trisha Murray of Hampton, sons Shaun (Deb) Murray of Ankeny, Chad Murray of Hampton, and Jayme Murray (Jamie Sexton) of Hampton, grandchildren Lacie (Josh) Jensen, Liby Murray, Liah Murray, Lexi (Brady) Goble, Levi Schlagel, Luis Schlagel, Liam Murray, Irelynd Murray, Hannah Murray (Josh Kew), Tate Murray, Alec Murray, Xander Mitchell and Izabelle Mitchell, great-grandchildren Anna Jensen and Allie Jensen, sister Kay Pulatie, brother Mike (Carol) Murray, sister Mary Jean (Tom) Horvath, brother Mark  (Cheri) Murray, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary, son Kelly, and brothers David and Francis.

Ray was a very sociable man.  There aren’t many people in the community who don’t know Ray.  He impacted many lives in his lifetime from participating in church activities, to helping out a neighbor, to talking to a stranger at Fareway.  He will be missed greatly by those he touched.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hampton, with burial in the Hampton Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton.