Clair Murray

Clair Murray peacefully passed away, Saturday, October 2, 2010. Clair was born March 16, 1928 in Wellsville, Utah to Parley Parker and Ida Poppleton Murray. He was the youngest of four children.
Clair graduated from South Cache High School where he excelled in track and basketball. He married his high school sweetheart, Irene Krebs, April 15, 1948 in the Logan Temple. They were blessed with six children – Kevin (Gae) Murray, Karen (Kim) Evans, Tammy (Michael) Tullis, Jolene (Cory) Wood, Jason (Rachel) Murray, and Jeff (Rose) Murray. One of Clair’s greatest joys was spending time with his family. During the last years of his life he enjoyed getting together with family every Sunday, eating meals in the backyard, sharing memories, and just visiting.
At an early age, Clair learned to work on the family farm. He valued the importance of hard work as exemplified throughout his life. He learned to build homes and became a general contractor and started his own business, Clair Murray Construction. His craftsmanship, integrity and attention to detail soon earned him a reputation as one of the finest builders in Cache Valley. As he built homes around the valley he also made lifelong friendships. He had a gift working with wood, creating many beautiful and unique items, including tables, chairs, and a variety of toys for grandchildren, camp chairs, birdhouses, and cedar chests. He spent months building a beautiful canoe made out of cedar strips – a treasured item that our family will always enjoy. Clair could build, repair, install, or assemble anything. He willingly assisted with our many projects and was always there whenever we needed his help. We will miss being able to ask for his advice and learn from his wisdom.
He had a love for learning, and was constantly trying new things. He took computer classes while in his seventies. He enjoyed sending and receiving e-mails. We always looked forward to receiving the computer generated birthday cards he sent. He took a public speaking class when he was called to serve in a USU student ward. He was always trying to improve himself. In the final years of his life he devoted many hours to family indexing entering more than 38,000 names.
Clair loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, hiking and skiing with family and friends. He knew all the mountains and canyons in Cache Valley by name. We loved hearing the stories he would tell about them. He passed his love and appreciation of nature on to his posterity.
Clair was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a home teacher, nursery leader (with Irene), Sunday School and MIA secretary, bishopric counselor in a USU single student ward, Pioneer Branch clerk, and in the Logan Temple baptistery. One highlight of his life was serving an LDS mission with Irene in the first group of missionaries at the Mormon Handcart Visitors Center. He helped build handcarts and repair some of the buildings. While serving, they were able to spend some personal time with President and Sister Gordon B. Hinckley. They loved to talk about this experience and share the pictures taken of them with President Hinckley. Dad made a small replica of a handcart for each of us and we will remember his missionary service whenever we think about the pioneers.
Throughout his life, Clair maintained an attitude of gratitude, always counting his blessings. He won the admiration and respect of caregivers, nurses, doctors, and all who had the opportunity to assist him as he courageously faced his chemotherapy treatments and increased dependence on others. He always said thank you, for even the smallest acts of service that he received. Although his caregivers only knew him a short time they loved him and appreciated his attitude. Some of his final words were whispered expressions of thanks to them. Dad taught us many things by example, but perhaps this was one of the most important lessons – to always say thank you for kindnesses that are shown to us by others.
The Murray family wishes to express our gratitude to Dr. Ali Ben-Jacobs and his nurses, the staff at Legacy House, and Access Hospice for their compassion and care.
Clair is survived by his loving wife, Irene, six children and their spouses, 25 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and his sister, Ida. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Parley, and his sister Eunice.
Funeral services will be held at the North Logan Stake Center, 2750 North 800 East, at 12:00 on Friday October 8, 2010. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the LDS Church General Missionary Fund. Condolences may be extended to family online at www.allenmortuaries.net .