Joseph Murray
September 18, 2013Share using:
Joseph Lyman Murray, 83 of Palmdale, California and formerly of Los Angeles passed away September 18, 2013 at Palmdale Regional Medical Center. His body was cremated.
Committal services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday December 3, 2016 at the Mueller Chapel at Linwood Cemetery, Rev. Dr. Marsha Wilfong, officiating. Burial, with his beloved wife Audrey, will follow at Linwood Cemetery. Arrangements by The Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph E. Murray and his mother, Lotta (Harris) Murray, and his beloved grandmother.
He was survived by his dear wife Audrey, who passed away November 6, 2016. He is also survived by his loving son, David Mason Murray, daughter-in-law Toni, and precious grandson David Mason Murray, Jr.
Joe was born in Los Angeles, California on December 28, 1929. He willingly served his country in the Army as a young man. He was a rated boxer in the Army. For 27 years, Joe also served his community with devotion, as an engineer with the City of Glendale Fire Department.
Joe's life changed forever when a beautiful blue Corvette momentarily broke down in front of his house. In it was his future wife, Audrey Ann Avery. He married the love of his life in Pasadena on March 3, 1962.
They worked hard to finally establish a home in the desert town of Palmdale, where they remained all of their married lives. Their adventurous spirits made for an exciting life together. Joe and Audrey worked on their property and loved to go camping, hunting and fishing in the Sierra Mountains. They raised Weimaraners (and as owners, even won Best of Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden). They planted an orchard of hundreds of peach trees, and shared a love of racing. Joe willingly encouraged his wife to pursue her passions for travel, gardening and animals. The most important blessing of their lives was the joyous arrival of their son David, and the greatest delight of their lives was their grandson, Davey.
Joe's vast interests and skills were extraordinary and inspiring. He discovered gold, silver and other ores, and founded Great Pacific Mines. He had his pilot's license and taught aerobatics.
He supported and encouraged David, who is equally talented in his varied interests, in becoming a member of the mounted posse for Los Angeles County, going out on search and rescue missions, and in founding Murray's Performance Garage. Together, Joe and David set five world land speed records.
Joe will be forever remembered for his hard work and ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovative ways, his passion for racing, and his love of family.
