David James Murray was born Feb. 6, 1959 in Houston, Missouri to Wilson Howard and Lorine Elmer Dean (Callahan) Murray. He passed away Oct. 21, 2024 at his home in Bucyrus, Missouri at the age of 65.
He was united in marriage to Patti Dawn Dixon Aug. 25, 1978 and they were blessed with three children: Amber Dawn, Joshua David and Abigail Lorine.
David grew up on the family farm and attended Houston Schools. After graduation he worked at Texas County Memorial Hospital. He later went on to work at Fort Leonard Wood. In 1995, David began his own business, Dalco Plumbing and Electric, which he continued until the day he passed away.
David was saved at Clara Baptist Church and was baptized Sept. 7, 2014 by his younger brother, Paul Murray. Alongside him, also being baptized were his two daughters, Amber and Abby along with two of his grandchildren, Ashton and Kierra.
He was a big fan of wrestling. He enjoyed watching it in person and on TV. Anytime it was on TV you could find him in his recliner watching. At times he would fall asleep watching it and as soon as anyone would change the channel, he would wake right up.
He couldn’t wait for deer season, it was his favorite time of the year. Speaking of deer season, his son Josh was born on the second day of deer season in 1981. He was sitting around, ready to go hunting and Patti said, “I don’t think you should go, because we are going to have a baby!” Their precious deer hunter son, Josh was born at 10:12 a.m. and David got to go hunting after Josh made his appearance. He was a little tipsy the night Amber wanted to make an appearance. He was finally waked up (with a little force) and at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 18, 1979 (her grandpa Troy’s birthday) their curly headed little princess was born. Last, but not least, our little angel Abigail was born Sept. 15, 1994. Her maw-maw Vera always laughed because Patti told her she had a BB gun trying to scare a dog away at midnight on the day she was born! She arrived at 8:30 a.m. Amber and Josh were quite a bit older than her so they kind of spoiled her.
Later he and Patti were blessed with five grandchildren: Ashton Lee, Wilson Paul, Winter Paige, Kierra Raine and Kai Dante, he loved you all very much. Paul and James were the best brothers he could have asked for. He loved you all very much.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilson and Lorine Murray; an infant brother and infant sister; his father-in-law, Troy Dixon; his mother-in-law, Vera Leek; a nephew, Nathan Geddings; and brother-in-law, Doug Lakins.
David is survived by his wife Patti; children, Amber, Josh and his wife Cyndee and Abby; five grandchildren and five bonus grandchildren; brothers, Paul and wife Sandy Murray, James Murray and Mark Murray; his sister Bea and husband Jay Geddings; brothers-in-law, Paul and wife Patty Dixon and Perry and wife Delinda Dixon; sisters-in-law, Pam and husband Dana Langley and Peggy and husband Mel Seyler as well as many nieces and nephews.
Life will never be the same without him! He was always making everyone laugh. He gained a lot of friends along the way, many of whom he worked for.
After David and Patti were married Aug. 25, 1978 at Ellis Prairie Church they had their honeymoon in St. Louis where they attended Super Jam ’78. That was the first of many concerts that they went to in their 46 years of marriage. The last concert they went to was Jelly Roll in Springfield Oct. 16, 2024. It was the best concert they had ever seen and what made it even more special was that their three children and their five grandchildren were all there with them. That was the last time they were all together.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26 at Ozark Baptist Church with Pastor Paul Murray officiating. Serving as pallbearers are: Josh Murray, Wilson Murray, James Murray, Ashton Whitman, Chris Rippinger, Kai Clark and Jack Campbell. Honorary pallbearers are Vince Barton and Mark Hohlt. Interment is in the Hickory Ridge Cemetery. Services are under the care of Bradford Funeral Home and online condolences may be left at www.bradfordfuneralhome.net.
