David Alan Murray, Sr.

Deceased in Granite Bay, CA under care of Hospice at age 77 from multiple chronic diseases

Born in Kentwood, La to Nicholas R Murray (b: Kedron, St Helena, La) and Dorothy L Murray (b: Wood, Tx) the fourth of six sons born to the family.  

Young David attended several elementary and middle schools in Tangipahoa Parish and attended Hammond High School.  He also attended Salt Lake Community College and University of Utah.

He was a proud member of two branches of military service participating in three tours of duty, Army National Guard and Navy.  He trained for the Airborne division and was a Green Beret.  He served as a combat medic and nurse in Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia.  He had a 100% service-connected disability following his last tour of duty.

David enjoyed organized team sports such as baseball where he played in the Babe Ruth League as a southpaw pitcher. He also enjoyed swimming, diving, running, sky diving, scuba diving, water and snow skiing, wrestling, boxing, and riding motorcycles. He was an expert marble player, an avid Acquire player and enjoyed other board and card games.

He was married three times, first to Veronica Fannaly of Ponchatoula, La, the union producing a daughter, Deborah.

a second marriage to Joyce Newman of Hammond, La produced four daughters Kellie, Katie, Dori, and Gin and one son David Jr.

a third marriage to Dixie Owens of Idaho produced a son Patrick

David belonged to several organizations over his lifetime that includes Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, Mensa, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

David was employed as a lithographer in printing shops, he owned and operated his own printing shop and genealogy business.

David was an avid reader, he loved science fiction books and movies. He also enjoyed watching televised sports. He loved his children and his country.

David is survived by his daughters:

Deborah M Verneuil of Ponchatoula, La who has three children and nine grandchildren,

Kellie Murray of Gonzales, La who has two children and three grandchildren,

Katherine Murray of Foresthill, Ca who has four children and two grandchildren,

Dorothy Campbell (Rob) of Kalispell, Mt who has two children and one grand child

Virginia Tanner (Brady) of Denham Springs, La who has two children.  

His sons: David Murray, Jr of Ogden, UT who has one child and Patrick Murray of West Valley City, UT.  

two brothers: Michael Murray of Titusville, Fl and James Murray of Baton Rouge, La.

He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in Fl, AZ, CA, CO, VA, LA.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents George and Delilah Murray of Kentwood, La.

his maternal grandparents Lee and Lena Ledbetter of Hammond, La

and his parents Nicholas and Dorothy Murray of Hammond, La.

brothers Nicholas Murray, Jr, John Murray both of Florida and Patrick Murray who died in childhood.  

Also, a grandson Brandon “Joey” Verneuil of Ponchatoula, La

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His viewing will be at Harry McKneely and Sons Funeral Home in Hammond, La, on Friday, November 11th, 2022, from 9am to 1pm with Pastor Bill Pruitt providing the Spiritual portion of the service at 1:00 pm and then interment at John Sharkey Cemetery in Amite to follow immediately after the Spiritual service.

Pallbearers are as follows:

Honorary (brother) James Murray

Brother Michael Murray

Son David Murray Jr

Grandson John Lea IV

Grandson Tyler Chester

Grandson Jeremiah Fuller

Nephew Nicholas Murray III

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Donations in lieu of flowers made to the following agencies in his name would be appreciated

American Diabetes Association

Disabled American Veterans

Wounded Warriors

Women’s Veterans Alliance

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