Murray recalled as great community advocate, family man

A mass of the resurrection will be conducted at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 2, at St. Thomas Catholic Church.

Murray served 14 years as an alderman on the International Falls City Council and then 14 years at the city’s mayor.

According to city officials, Murray served as mayor from April 15, 1986 until December 2000. He served as an alderman from April 1972 to April 1986. During that time he served as president of the council from April 1975 to April 1977.

In April, the International Falls City Council recognized Murray’s service to his hometown and the country he served by naming a seaplane base at the Pat Roche Memorial Access off Highway 11 after him. Councilors said it was fitting that Murray be recognized near the Roche memorial. Roche was a friend and the two served many years together on the council. In addition, the sea plane base commemorates Murray’s involvement in World War II in missions over the China Sea and Sea of Japan.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July 1942. He initially went to technician school and became a tech sergeant. His other skills, however, placed him in a torpedo bomber as a turret gunner for the remainder of his enlistment until November 1945. He was honored for his heroism in his military career receiving eight flying medals and two distinguished service medals.

The former mayor’s passion about the community was well known across the state and was obvious, as his daily attire included an ‘I Love International Falls’ pin.

Former Mayor Bob Anderson served with Murray on the council and said he traveled to many meetings out of town with Murray, as the two also worked at the local paper mill.

“I have so many memories of Jack Murray,” said Anderson. “While a generation older than I, Jack and my father were school pals. Jack’s father was city water department commissioner. Jack was dedicated to his family, his parents — visited his mother every day while she was a resident of the care center — and without question to his community. Jack wore his ‘I Love International Falls’ button with great pride. He loved high school sports and watching his children compete.

“A dear friend has departed.”

Falls Mayor Shawn Mason called Wednesday a sad day in International Falls.

“Jack Murray served our community for nearly half his life, and did so with honesty, great character and integrity,” said Mason. “He was an exemplary mayor — one who did not have a vindictive or unethical bone in his body. He was simply a very good man, with a good heart, strong work ethic and honorable intentions.”

Mason said she knows of no one who demonstrated their love and devotion for International Falls more than Murray.

“He figuratively — and literally — wore ‘I Love International Falls’ on his sleeve. He also served his country with admirable dedication and fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.”

Mason said Murray captured the hearts of his fellow citizens, and earned their respect long ago.

“We will honor this wonderful man — and all that he stood for — on his birthday, July 28, as we dedicate the riverfront seaplane base in his name, as planned,” she said.

Ron Murray, one of Jack’s sons, told The Journal that his father’s love of International Falls was deep.

“When he was mayor, he was on top of the world, and it wasn’t because he was on a power trip, he was in a position to make a difference and represent our community. He beamed with pride. He loved his years as mayor.”

 Brian Youso, Koochiching County sheriff, said he spent a lot of time at the Murray household growing up as he was friends with Murray’s sons and his father, Frank Youso, was a close friend of Murray’s.

 Youso said he has fond memories of feeding deer at Murray’s hunting shack on the Haney Road, fishing and spending time on a pontoon with he and his family.

“Wonderful times,” he recalled. “He’s a good example for us all.”

A conversation with Murray at his hunting shack last fall provided good advice, said Youso.

“I asked him in his life what was the most important thing he learned that he could offer to others,” said Youso. “He said friendship and family — that was the most important thing.”

Ron Murray said his father was a competitive deer hunter, but enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids learn to hunt and come to the shack.

He recalled the one and only time his father cooked a meal at the shack for the family.

“He needed to add oil to the frying pan, and a bottle looked like oil, but was Dawn dish soap. When the food came to the table, I started eating and I ate a whole plate of food without thinking, I was so hungry. When someone asked why it tasted odd, he said he used the oil on the kitchen sink, and we said that’s Dawn dish soap. He never cooked again.”

Ron said his dad’s involvement in the Falls Recreational Hockey program included more than support and coaching. Murray just revealed last year that he also flooded the local rinks late at night.

Youso recalled a fishing trip with Murray and Frank Youso several years ago that provided insight and laughs.

“My dad is a big guy and was very close to Jack,” explained Youso. “On our way up to Kettle Falls in a houseboat it was beautiful, but the next morning you couldn’t see the front of the boat, it had snowed so hard.

“Jack put on my dad’s black snowmobile suit and the sleeves and legs were about 12 inches too long for him. He looked like a penguin and we laughed so hard.

“Jack could always laugh at himself and had a great sense of humor.”

“I never saw him in a bad mood, never angry,” said Youso. “Now he’s smiling and laughing.”

Murray “was all about community and family,” Youso said.

Murray rarely talked much about himself — “he was a good listener” — and some people may be surprised to know he was a Golden Gloves boxer, said Youso.

Ron Murray said his father had one professional fight, “and we were kidding about that (Wednesday) night — he went undefeated in a pro career as a featherweight.”

Murray married Donna Mohs shortly after he returned home from the military. His dad Patrick knew of Donna and set them up. “The rest is, as they say, history,” said the family. They raised eight children.

Murray worked at Boise Cascade his entire working career and retired as a supervisor in 1985.

He was a Veterans of Foreign Wars member since 1945.

He took a great deal of pride and enjoyment in attending his Marine Corps unit reunions each fall, beginning around 1983 and continuing right up until last year. Jack and Donna traveled all over the world, sometimes taking family to meet with the comrades and their families.

Murray was an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus.

In his later years, especially after the death of Donna, Jack attended daily mass at St. Thomas Catholic Church and grew in his relationship with the Lord. He enjoyed his many years as an usher at St. Thomas as well.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; a son, Thomas; daughter, Mary; grandson, Tyler; his parents; and a brother, Robert.

Survivors include children, Patty Murray Christensen of Grand Rapids, Minn., daughter-in-law, Joan (Tom) Murray, Jim (Linda) Murray of San Dimes, Calif., John (Bev) Murray of Thorton, Colo., Terry Murray of International Falls, Minn., Ron (Mary) Murray of Staples, Minn., Catherine (Dan) Barrerio of Victoria, Minn., and David (Rayetta) Murray of Osseo, Minn.; 24 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters; Iris “Tootie” Mcmanus and Mavis Mater; brother, William; as well as extended family of LaVonne Murray and “Buzz” Christensen.

Visitation took place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Green-Larsen Mortuary, with the holy rosary at 6:30.