John D. Murray, Jr.

John Donald “Jack” Murray, 87, died peacefully at home on Sunday, April 18, 2021, surrounded by loved ones.  He was born in Peoria, IL, on January 19, 1934, the son of Marcella (LeGault) and John D. Murray, Sr.  He married Patricia A. Shea on September 7, 1957, in Peoria, IL.  Jack graduated high school from Spalding Institute in Peoria in 1951.  He then attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating cum laude with a degree in Accounting in 1955.  Jack received an MBA from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. in 1968.

Upon graduation from Notre Dame, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served on active duty until his retirement in August 1977, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  His distinguished military career included two tours of duty in Vietnam and CO/XO at the NROTC at the University of Oklahoma.  He was then employed by General Motors in Oklahoma City as an accountant from 1977, until retiring in 1991.  

Jack is survived by his wife, Pat; children, Mary (Randy) Huntress of Dallas, TX, Michael (Laurie) Murray of Dallas, TX, Melanie (William) Bone of Oklahoma City, OK, and Marcella (John) Derrick of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; sister, Patricia McAtee of Peoria, IL; brother, Benjamin Murray of Rockford, IL; eleven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.  Jack was preceded in death by his parents; and one grandchild.

Jack was an avid sportsman, life-long fan of the Chicago Cubs and Notre Dame football, member of The Trails Golf Club in Norman, and long-time parishioner, along with Pat, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.  However, his true joy and happiness in life derived from his deep Catholic faith, and being a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

All are welcome to join the family at the recitation of the Rosary on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., with the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., both at St. Thomas More University Parish, 1535 Jenkins Ave., Norman, OK. The family will receive friends at the church following the Rosary and Mass.  Burial will be at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery at a later date.

The family welcomes memorial donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Thomas More as Jack was a member of this charitable organization for many years.  Donations may be mailed to STM, 100 Stinson St., Norman, OK 73072.