Dave W. Murray

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Welcome and thanks for visiting

My father, Dave W. Murray, was a science fiction and fantasy writer and editor, an elementary school teacher for 32 years, a photographer, a tour guide, and an amateur historian. At different times, he managed a shoe store and sold insurance. As an assistant Scoutmaster, he went the extra mile to earn the Woodbadge recognition. He was a elder in his church.

On May 17, 2012, he had successful open-heart surgery, but the next morning he suffered a serious stroke to the left hemisphere of his brain. About three weeks later at 1:46 AM on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, my father passed beyond this life to begin his next great adventure. If you are curious, I blogged the entire event. People also left encouraging messages for us during that time.

Family, friends and former students have asked for a place to leave messages about my father or to the family: messages of hope, memories of things they have done together, inspirational messages, and so on. I created this page just for that purpose.

Media

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Dave W. Murray Memorial Video #1: 1940-1957

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Dave W. Murray Memorial Video #2: 1958-1986

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Dave W. Murray Memorial Video #3: 1987-2012

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Obituary

MURRAY, Dave W.

On Wednesday, June 6, 2012, David W. Murray of Sacramento, age 71, entered into rest peacefully.

Born in 1940 in St. Paul, Minnesota, his family moved to Columbus, Ohio, when he was three and to Visalia, CA, when he was six. Dave attended schools in Visalia and graduated from College of the Sequoias and then Fresno State University. He earned his M.A. in Education from Pepperdine University.

His teaching career began at Pioneer Elementary (Hanford, CA) while earning a lifetime teaching credential. In 1968, he moved to Arroyo Grande, CA and taught grades 2-6 at Grover Heights Elementary (Grover City, CA) for 30 years. Fourth and fifth grades were Dave’s favorites to teach, sharing his love of California history and science with his students. He retired from teaching in 1995.

In 1999, Dave and Marlene, his wife of almost 50 years, moved to Sacramento. He suffered a stroke the following year but eventually made a full recovery. He worked for the California Dept. of Parks and Recreation as a tour guide at Sutter’s Fort, State Indian Museum, Governor’s Mansion, Leland Stanford Mansion, and California State Capitol Museum. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with visitors and delighted in learning from guests who had lived in the mansions.

Dave had a life-long love of writing and reading science-fiction and fantasy. He was an active member of a Sacramento writers group, the Warped Spacers. He also had an avid interest in the natural world and made a study of biology, geography, astronomy, and geology. He loved camping and hiking, and he served as a staff member at a YMCA camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He was active in the Boys Scouts of America, and completed Wood Badge, the most advanced training available for Scout leaders. He was an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church USA and enjoyed attending services at Westminster Presbyterian Church and The Experience in Sacramento when his work schedule permitted.

On May 18, he had a stroke following heart surgery and suffered from complications until his passing. His parents, Wm. Donald and Frances Murray of Visalia, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife and son, Marlene and Will Murray of Sacramento, and his sister and brother-in-law, Lois and David Feleay of Cambria.

It was Dave’s wish not to have a public memorial service, but you may leave memories of Dave and comments for his family at http://WillMurray.name/dwm.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made on his behalf to the California State Parks Foundation at http://www.CalParks.org or The Nature Conservancy at http://www.Nature.org.

Additional obituaries

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69 thoughts on “Dave W. Murray”

  1. Dave was a great guy, I worked with him briefly at the Governor’s Mansion and when he joined me at the State Parks outdoor exhibit at the CA State Fair a few years ago. He couldn’t be out in the sun but he braved the heat to weave on the loom and talk with visitors. So sorry to hear that we lost another wonderful member of our Parks family.

      

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  5. Just getting to e-mail. We were all very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. He was a very nice person and added so much to the Capitol famly. He will be sorely missed. Our prayers to the family.

      

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    • Hi Royal

      Hope all is well with you and family. You can contact us at steveprey -at- earthlink -dot- net

        

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  11. Well done Will and Marlene, this is a great memorial site for Dave. Loved the movies and his bio information.

    Judy and I are looking forward to seeing you and Marlene at a future Warped Spacers meeting (once Marlene is feeling better) to start up “Project Dave” and complete Dave’s stories and get them published (in print or ePrint).

    Take care for now, and hope to see you both soon.

      

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  12. Hi, Will and Marlene, We still have fond memories of CCAMS, and enjoy your Christmas letters. So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing.; what a loss. I did not realize he had so many wonderful talents and interests. You’ve left a wonderful memorial! The pictures remind me so much of my family’s. Thanks also for placing the obit in the SLO Tribune. Our love and condolences, Carol and Evan Lowman

      

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  13. Hello Will, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad, I wish your family can be strong and find some peace soon. I am sure your dad had a great life full with love. I will see his memorial videos and keep him in and you all in my prayers. I am still dealing with my mom’s illness, unfortunatelly is progressing fast, not much to do. Anyway, life goes on. Take care.
    Sincerely,
    Claudia

      

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  14. Mr. Murray was (and always will be!) my favorite teacher. He taught our 5th Grade class at Grover Heights Elementary. I still remember him reading The Hobbit to us, teaching us about oceanography, and giving us stickers for perfect papers. When I was undecided about my major in college, I visited Mr. Murray and volunteered in his classroom. I became a teacher myself :) He inspired me to touch children’s lives. I feel very blessed to have communicated with him on the internet, and to tell him how he inspired me. He was a great man and he made learning fun.

      

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  15. I knew your father and went to grammar school in Visalia, Ca. with him. When he and I went to YMCA camp, he would spend hours in our cabin on his bunk bed writing stories about outer space like Flash Gordon. Then I knew your Grandmother and Grandfather. Your Grandfather, I believe, ran the Mosquito Abatement service in Visalia and they had these jeeps that went throughout the neighborhoods spraying a DDT fog and I, along with my friends, would run behind the jeeps through the Fog. It’s a wonder that we’re still alive! Your dad was a good man, but after high school I never saw him again, but I see his sister occasionally.

      

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  16. With sadness, Gini and I recently learned of Dave’s death. Dave was a childhood inspiration to me in those innocent days growing up in the Valley. Our fathers fought mosquitoes together and our parents were close friends. Don and Frances seemed closer to our family than relatives!
    I remember many holiday visits: the unfinished puzzle on the coffee table, many board games, and many intense original stories told in Dave’s quiet voice in his room. With action and suspense, Dave’s stories reflected his love for nature and its creatures.
    There were many family adventures around the whirlpool and rapids at Slick Rock long before it became developed. Returning down a mountain after a long day at the China Lake petroglyphs, I remember the kids went in front of the cars’ headlights to move large stones from the dirt road. Luckily, Navy security found the convoy, as our return to base was many hours overdue. There was also a car convoy to a mosquito meeting across several states with lunches in city parks along the way.
    All wonderful childhood memories: Dave’s parents, beautiful Lois, and later Marlene too. With college, job, and family, I lost track of Dave. While details fade as we age, my memories of an older childhood friend with such creativity, strong moral character, and great example will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marlene, Lois, and their families.

      

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