John Charles Murray passed away on Bainbridge Island from Parkinson’s Disease on September 13, 2024. He was born on February 21, 1939, in Cashmere, Washington and lived there through graduation from Cashmere High School. He then moved with his family to Wenatchee where he attended Wenatchee Valley College and served in the Army National Guard. In 1959 he joined the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany and at Ft. Lewis, Washington. After serving three years he returned to Wenatchee, graduated Wenatchee Valley College, and enrolled in the University of Washington. After completing his degree in civil engineering, he moved to Louisville, KY with his wife, the former Judy Jones. After a period of working for DuPont, he returned to Washington to complete a master’s in civil engineering at the UW and begin a career with the Washington State Dept. of Transportation, becoming state traffic engineer in Olympia then Director of Marine Vessel Engineering for the ferry system. Upon retirement he built a home on Bainbridge Island and worked for Coral Sales in Salem, Oregon. John and Judy moved full-time to Bainbridge as her health declined. Judy passed away in 2008. He married Susan Braun in 2010, and they travelled extensively. While on Bainbridge, John helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity, was active with the American Legion, volunteered for the Rotary Auction, was active with PAWS of Bainbridge and North Kitsap and restored vintage military vehicles with the West Sound Military Preservation Club. He was also a graduate of the Bob Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving. An avid reader and member of MENSA, he belonged to two book groups on Bainbridge. He is survived by his wife Susan Braun, his brother Blake Murray and his daughters Jennifer and Kirsten Murray.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.11.6