02/21/2011

Garrison Murray

February 19, 2011

OFDA received word this afternoon Garrison Murray, 76, of Creston, died peacefully at his home on Saturday evening, February 19, 2011 following a long, hard fight.  Garry was born July 14, 1934 to John C. and Miriam (Garrison) Murray and had made his home in Creston all of his life. On December 29, 1956 he married his high school sweet heart, Alice J. Christian, and she survives.  

He graduated from Creston High School in 1953 and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  He attended Otterbein College and graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1958.  He operated Murray Funeral Homes serving the Creston and Fredericksburg communities for over 50 years. He was an active member of Creston United Methodist Church having sung in the choir for 55 years.  He served on the Canaan Twp. Fire and Rescue for over 30 years, was a 50 year member of Creston Lions Club and a member of Creston American Legion Post 497 and Creston Moose Lodge 1224.  He was a member of Seville Lodge #74 F.&A.M. , the Al Koran Temple, the Scottish Rite of Canton and was past president of Wooster Shrine Club.  He had shown ponies at the Wayne County Fair for many years and he was the happiest when he was working and busy. 

Surviving are his wife Alice; his sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren: James and Pamela and daughter Jamie Murray, John and Sheri and son Garrison Murray and Lt. Col. Joseph and Julia Murray and children Joseph, Helen, Richard and Christian; sister and brother-in-law Kathleen and Lawrence Slater and nieces and nephews.  A sister and brother-in-law Sylvia and Anton Dyck died previously.

Services will be held Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the Creston United Methodist Church with Pastor Deb Quillen officiating.  Burial will be in Creston Maple Mound Cemetery.  Friends may call Tuesday, from 5-8 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Fredericksburg and Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston. 

Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com  Memorials may be made to  Creston United Methodist Church, PO Box 1111, Creston, OH 44217 or to Hospice of Wayne Co., 2525 Back Orrville Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.

As a family we extend our sincere thanks to all the families throughout the years that Garry served.  Your faith and trust in him was a great gift that he always cherished.  And to Dr. Lawrence Stalling and his staff we will forever be grateful for all you did for Garry and the extra years you gave him.