By HDN Staff
MESA, Ariz. John H. Murray, 74, died of cancer on Friday, June 9, 2000, in Mesa, Ariz.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. June 20, 2000 at 320 N. 55th Place, Mesa, Ariz. His ashes will be returned to Havre for burial at a later date.
Murray was born June 6, 1926 to Herbert and Sigrid Murray in Seattle, Washington. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marine and Army Transport during World War II.
Murray married Ruthaleen Hemmesch on November 22, 1944 in Seattle. In 1949 they moved to Montana where he was employed as a telegrapher for the Great Northern Railroad and later a train dispatcher in Great Falls, Havre, and Billings for the Burlington Northern. He retired in 1988 and moved to Mesa in 1997.
He was a Past Master of the Havre Masonic Lodge, a member of Algeria Shrine, Northcentral Montana Shrine Club, Ada Oriental Band and the Elks. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and mining for yogo sapphires in Montana.
Murray was preceded in death by son Tim Murray and grandson Jim Murray.
He is survived by his wife at 6133 E. Ensenada, Mesa, Ariz.; daughter, Nancy DeSouza, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada; sister, Jean Landin, Hoodsport, Wash.; grandsons Mike Harmon, Tim Harmon and Jack Murray of Havre; granddaughters Teri Heydon, Beaverton, Ore., Holly Nordstrom, Portland, Ore., and Peggy Jean Hermes, Missoula, and five great-grandchildren.
