Edwin Lee Murray

1924—2018

Edwin Lee Murray, born July 12, 1924 in Cement, OK to Leon & Ruth Murray, passed away after a brief illness on March 6th surrounded by all of his family.

He spent his childhood in Texas until moving to Napa in 1939 with his mother and sister, Koleta. After WWII began, Ed enlisted in the Army in 1943. Shortly after enlisting he was sent overseas to serve with the 124th AAA Gun Battalion where they joined the Ninth Army. During the war he fought campaigns in the Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes.

Upon his return and subsequent discharge, Ed worked for a few different companies in Napa before going to work for the Napa State Hospital in 1947. It was there that he met the love of his life, Dolores Farmer. Ed and Dolores were married in June of 1954. In 1955 they bought their first and only home in Napa. It was here that they brought home their three sons, Wyatt, Sean, and Blake. A home that for the Murray family and friends has remained a constant source of warmth and holds a lifetime of memories.

Ed took full advantage of his retirement from the hospital in 1983 and found ways to fill his days with the things that he enjoyed the most. He and Dolores purchased a fifth wheel and traversed the country. At least three days a week, you could find him on the golf course, a game he played until he was 93. Just to make sure that he had access to favorable weather year round for golf, they purchased a second home in Arizona where they spent their winters. Ed was truly a renaissance man and would often take out his clarinet or the harmonica and play for his grandchildren, or explore his other passion for painting portraits in various mediums. Evenings were spent playing cards with friends, reading, or solving crossword and Sudoku puzzles.

Edwin was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Koleta (Murray) Adams and brother-in-law Frank Adams. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dolores, his three sons, Wyatt (Margie), Sean (Cheryl), and Blake (Tami). His grandchildren, Courtney, Rachel (Dustin), Seanna, Shayla (Abe), and Blake Edward and his great-grandchildren Ava, Thiago, Mia, Addison, and Cian.

A private gathering for immediate family will be held. In lieu of donations, the family asks that you live your life as Ed lived his, with kindness, compassion and a love for all of the gifts that life has offer.

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