Obituary of Max Murray

Max Murray, age 91, died in his home at Rock Lake on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Max is survived by his children, Ann Murray of Pittsburgh, Pa., with whom he made his home, Randy Murray and his wife Elizabeth Nan, his grandchildren, Hunter and Alexandrea Murray, and his great granddaughter, Adelyn Murray. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lois Murray, three nieces and two nephews and their families. Max is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Barbara Jones Murray, a brother, Phil Murray, and a sister Rosemary Fletcher, and a sister-in-law, Tina Jones Sproles. Max was born on May 11, 1925, in Rachel, WV, to the late Naomi Brand Murray and George W. Murray. He joined the Air Force at age 19 and while serving his country, he began his engineering education at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He was a fighter pilot in WWII and later achieved the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve. After the war, he continued his studies and graduated from the Department of Engineering at West Virginia University as a mechanical engineer. As newlyweds in 1951, Max and Barbara moved to the Rock Lake Community, where they raised a family, volunteered actively, and made their many life-long, devoted friends Max entered the employ of Westinghouse, where he remained throughout his successful professional career. He became the Managing Engineer, a job he held until his retirement in 1987, after which he continued to work as a consulting engineer on domestic and international projects. Throughout his life, Max remained an engaged, accomplished, warm-hearted man. He had a deep love and an abiding curiosity in the sciences. He was a delightful neighbor. Max had the privilege to die at Rock Lake, his beloved estate, his home turf. The family will receive friends at Ford Funeral Home, R.C. Jones Chapel, 1410 Country Club Road, Fairmont, WV 26554, on Friday, January 13, 2017, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Bill Toothman officiating. A committal service will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery & Mausoleum in Fairmont. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.FORDFUNERALHOMES.com.