Paul Murray, 80, a longtime Baker City resident, died Jan. 17, 2005, at his home with his family around him.
His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Visitations will be from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Private vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Paul was born on Aug. 21, 1924, at Baker City to Elbert and LaRita Murray. He was a World War II veteran. After Paul returned home from the war, he went back to work for Safeway Grocery Store as a produce manager.
He also worked as a produce manager for Chaves’ Food Store and in the produce department for Albertsons. As a young man, he worked various jobs around Baker City. He was a delivery truck driver for a beer company and worked for Cascade Natural Gas, converting propane stoves to natural gas.
He married Irene Williamson on Feb. 19, 1950. They had three children: John, Paula and David.
Paul studied at home to become a carpenter, working for several local contractors. He built homes around Baker City and Grizzly Bear Pizza Parlors in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
He will be missed. He loved working in his yard keeping it watered and groomed. He loved roses and it showed in the many he cared for in his yard.
But his first love was produce; he was a produce man to the core. Always checking out produce displays in every store he visited.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Irene Murray of Baker City; his children, John Murray of Bagdad, Ariz., Paula Taylor of Haines, and David Murray of Boise; and many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother Vernon “Tiny” Murray.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 21, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
