OBITUARY: Gary Alfred Murray

Gary Alfred Murray entered heaven on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from a heart attack while on a family vacation to his favorite beach in Florida.

Gary was born on June 19, 1980, in Houston, Missouri to Ronnie and Jeannie Murray. He was born with so much hair he was the talk of the hospital. Gary grew up on a farm in Plato, Missouri, where he could run off all his little boy energy. As he grew up, he was often reminded that he has more energy than most people so to always use that energy for good. He loved playing with and being entertained by all the animals he could have on the farm; from bunnies to cattle to cats to Harriet, the flying squirrel and his dog Punky. 

After graduating from Plato High School, Gary attended College of the Ozarks and graduated in 2003 with degrees in accounting and business. Gary was hired to be an assistant manager for Walgreens immediately after graduation. It was during college that Gary met the love of his life, Kim. Gary and Kim were married in 2004 in Branson, Missouri. They bought a house in Nixa a few months later and lived there for the next six years. They found out they were pregnant right before their one-year anniversary and welcomed their son, Austin, and two years later they welcomed their daughter Allison. Gary was deeply enamored by his kids. He loved spending time with them when they were little. He was always the favorite with everyone’s kids. Kim would call him the “Baby Magnet.”

In 2010, Gary was promoted and transferred to Webb City, Missouri. The Murray’s bought a house and made it a home where they raised their kids. As Austin and Allison grew older, Gary loved teaching them different skills and working on projects with them. He was always a hands-on dad. It didn’t matter if he was tired or not interested, he always made time to hang out with his kids. Gary and Kim were also foster parents for a few years. He was good at being a father figure to anyone who walked into his life. Not only did Gary’s kids and wife call him Big Daddy Gary, but many of their kids’ friends did also. Gary was a true friend and loved this season with his wife and kids. 

Gary and Kim made the decision to homeschool their kids starting in 2017. In 2019, Gary started a new job with TJMaxx. This was an exciting, new challenge for him and between homeschooling and his retail hours he made the most of every moment with his family. He loved summer, swimming, the beach, basketball, pickleball, learning how to make things or fix things, and playing games with his family, especially Aggravation, where he would win almost every day. He loved working out and playing pickleball with Austin and searching for frogs, lizards and snakes with Allison. 

Gary loved Jesus with his whole heart. He would often talk about how loving people the way Jesus would love them was his ministry. Gary showed the love of Christ to those around him by being kind, loving and patient. He was a man of integrity and wasn’t afraid to work hard. He was the best listener and had a lot of wisdom on how to manage difficult situations. Gary served his family well by making every second have meaning and by completely taking care of them. He was an amazing husband, an incredible dad and was adored by all who knew him. He knew how to bring fun into all situations. 

Gary is preceded in death by generations of faithful loved ones now embracing him in heaven, where they are eating at the snack bar in between games of basketball. Gary will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his wife, Kim Murray; children, Austin and Allison Murray; parents, Ronnie and Jeannie Murray; mother-in-law, Kathy Kimball; nephews, Levi and Seth Romero; best friends and cousin, Wes and Patricia Rumfelt; as well as many extended family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting monetary donations. 

A Celebration of Life will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, July 20, 2026, at James River Church, 1850 S. Maiden Lane in Joplin. Prior to the service, family will receive friends from 9 a.m. to service time.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.