- Date Of Birth: January 29, 1946
- Date Of Death: August 13, 2018
- State: Texas
Kenneth Gene Murray, January 29, 1946 – August 13, 2018.
Kenneth Gene Murray, 72, of Morgan’s Point Resort, passed away peacefully on Aug. 13, 2018.
The only son of Josephine Groner, Ken was born in Kansas City, MO. He and his mother moved to California where he attended middle and high school at Chaminade Preparatory School in Chatsworth. He graduated in 1964, enlisted in the Air Force, and married his sweetheart, Barbara Elaine Rich, on May 6, 1967. He served during the Vietnam War. Upon leaving the military, Ken went to college and earned a degree in business. He was a successful banker, salesman, restauranteur, mortgage broker, and tax preparer over his lifetime. He retired in 2014.
In 1987, he and his family moved from Simi Valley, CA, to Belton. Ken became an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 7196. He served as Grand Knight for a number of years and worked for the Church finance department. He was an active volunteer at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center before his retirement.
Ken was an avid Jeopardy fan, loved crossword puzzles and board games. Some of his fondest memories and most colorful stories involved time spent in Thailand during the Vietnam War, old cars he loved to drive, and vacations he and his family took over the years. He loved classic country music and old westerns, and never missed an opportunity to crack a joke. He loved his family above all else.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Josephine Irish, and his wife of 48 years, Elaine Murray. He is survived by his children, Barbara Murray (Brian) of Tyler, Dorian Murray (Maria) of Cameron, Lori Murray of Belton, and Erin Behncke (Nathan) of Austin; grandchildren Christopher and Ian Jordan, Sarah Rose Marquez; Allison, Bridget, Avery and Robin Dillon; Alaina Behncke; and great-granddaughter Aubree Jordan.
To his kids he was a hero-dad: a master homework-helper, softball coach, driver’s ed teacher, loudest laugher, proprietor of tough love, shoulder to cry on, encouragement-giver, spaghetti-maker, and the push everyone needed out of the nest. To his grandkids he was a jingle-singing, joke-telling, man-of-a-million-chuckles. To his friends he was loyal, sincere, and always at the ready to help. To say the least, he will be forever missed.
