Obituary of Lt Col John Edward Murray,, U.S. Air Force, Jr.

Following a stoic fight against cancer, Lt Col John Edward Murray, Jr., U.S. Air Force, (Ret.), age 77, passed away peacefully at his home on May 15, 2020. At the time of his passing, John was surrounded by his wife and children. John is survived by his loving wife of fifty-five years, Anne (Kirk) Murray; and his five children, Lisa Catherine Murray, Cynthia Lynn (Robert John) Gulde, Victoria Christine (Matthew Thomas) Ingate, Angela Elizabeth (Dustin Bijan) Kia, and Brett Matthew (Lydia Tankersley) Murray; and his seven grandchildren, Eden, Reid, and Davis Ingate, Noah and Emma Gulde, and Anders and Daphne Murray. He was born in Denver, Colorado, on June 7, 1942, to Col John Edward Murray and Margaret Mary McCarthy. John ("Skook" to his family) was the oldest of six brothers; Michael, Peter, Patrick, Dennis, and Terrance. John spent his youth living throughout the United States, moving often due to his father's Air Force career. He shared many stories of his childhood, like running through the tobacco fields in Virginia, fishing on the beaches of Florida, hunting in Germany, and driving fast on Texas's farm roads. John was an active Boy Scout and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.In 1960, John received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy and graduated with the Class of 1964, Squadron 9. Nicknamed "Mose" by his academy buddies, John entered the Academy with a desire to fly. While he never flew at the Academy, he was said to have "the look of an eagle" in his eyes, and from classmate stories "discovered his real talents of following ski trails, snow bunnies and finding some good bourbon at the trail's end." John remained friends with his Academy classmates throughout his life. After graduation, Mose followed his ambition to fly and graduated from pilot training in 1965. John went on to show his bravery, calm, and skill, flying the C-141 and HH-43 Huskie ("Pedro") as a member of the Air Rescue Service in Vietnam, where he had 129 successful rescue missions.He also piloted three active presidents, distinguished dignitaries, and others in the C-9 and VC-140B (Jetstar) until his military retirement. During his twenty-four year U.S. Air Force career, John received numerous awards and medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Airman's Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal. A fond memory of his grandson is John visiting his elementary school for Veterans Day. At the time of his retirement, John held the record for most hours logged on the Jetstar.While in the military, he obtained his MBA from Southern Illinois University. Following his retirement from the military, John flew with American Airlines, retiring as a captain. While with American, he received the 1994-1995 Leadership Award.When his head was not in the clouds, John was a loving and devoted husband to his wife of fifty-five years, and a caring, supportive father. John met Anne (nicknamed "Blossom") while at the Academy and they were married in 1965 in Denver, Colorado. John and Anne raised five children, instilling in them a sense of adventure and wanderlust. As a military family, they lived in many places, including Texas, Washington DC, Germany, and their long-time retirement home of Marietta, Georgia. In each location, they embraced the culture and history and taught their children to do the same. The family history is full of fun photos and experiences from mountain top skiing, camping in Italy, trips to the beach, tailgates supporting Air Force Academy football, learning about national treasures in Washington DC, castles in Europe, and long road trips visiting National Parks, monuments and family. As a father, John was always available to stay up late to help with homework (even after returning from a long trip), loved sports, and cheering on his children with a loud "G-O Hotshots! or S-C-O-R-E" from the sidelines. He was always a bit mischievous and always enjoyed giving a good scare at Halloween or engaging in an impromptu snowball fight. John encouraged each of his kids to follow their own career paths and was always willing to help with moving or to tackle a redecorating project as his kids moved out on their own. "He was always there when we needed him."John was a caring grandfather and enjoyed returning to his inner child with his young grandchildren by playing with trains, bowling, and carving pumpkins. As John's grandkids got older, he passed along activities he loved like golf, fishing, water fights, sporting events, and SNL. He willingly shared words of wisdom, lessons learned, and stories that improved and embellished with each telling. John was also a loving and supporting father-in-law to his three sons-in-law and his one daughter-in-law who said, "He showed his love to each of us through actions and selflessness always to be there to help." John's granddaughter described him as "a gentleman and brave" and he is remembered by friends as "easy-going, confident and composed. Just the type of man you want to be piloting your plane." John will be remembered for enjoying any celebration with good food and dancing, being part of great conversations over a cold beer or two, his unique but delicious cooking style, and the love and support he provided his wife, children, and their families.A private Graveside Service will be held at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, Air Force Academy, Colorado 80841. A private Memorial Service will be held at the Air Force Academy Community Center Chapel, 5134 Cathedral Drive, USAF Academy, Air Force Academy, Colorado 80840. Memorial contributions in John's memory may be made to the following:Cancer Research Institutehttps://www.cancerresearch.org/East Cobb Lions Club - In memory of John E. Murray, Jr.http://eastcobblions.club/Support for the Warriors - Honorary or Memorial Donation - In memory of John E. Murray, Jr.https://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/about/make-a-donation/Air Force Aid Society - In Memory of John E. Murray, Jr.https://afas.org/Please add your remembrances and stories in memory of John. Events Final Resting Place Air Force Academy Cemetery Cemetery Road Air Force Academy, CO 80840