David Anthony Murray, age 54, was reunited with his parents, on Wednesday February 7, 2018. He was born on April 13, 1963 in Seattle, Washington to Fancher Martaindale and Pauline Wright Murray. He was the second of six children.
David’s family moved 10 times during his childhood and youth which gave him a perspective on life different from his peers and made summers at his grandparents’ home on Shelter Island, New York an anchor of security and fun. He spent those summers as one of the “Three Musketeers” (James, David and John) learning how to sail.
David and Claudia P. Manley were sealed on April 13, 2001 in the Guatemala, Guatemala City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They spent the first seven years of their marriage living near Claudia’s family in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. David’s gentleness and talents were qualities that endeared him to friends and family during that time. On one occasion David gave his best coat to an American stranger who had been robbed, and was alone and friendless. David and Claudia took him out of the tropical rain and chill and into their home to feed and comfort him. The stranger left warm, fed and with David’s London Fog jacket.
David also served in the fledgling Boy Scout program in Honduras, where his skills, experience and Eagle Scout status were invaluable.
David was a devoted and life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He served a full-time mission in Bangkok, Thailand. In Honduras he served as ward Elders’ Quorum president and as a Counselor to the Branch President. He and Claudia served for 20 months as missionaries in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission on the “Daily Dose” program (teaching English). He served an 18 month mission at the Church Cannery in Murray. David was also an ordinance worker in the Draper Temple. At the time of his passing, he was the Executive Secretary in his home ward in Taylorsville.
David was an artist and a woodworker. He could build or fix anything his creative mind invented. David was a trivia aficionado and loved to talk about “triskaidekaphobia” (fear of the number 13!) Having been born on a “Friday the 13th”, this phobia tickled his funny-bone. David was a person with a brilliant mind, a thinker who was always willing to serve and share his abundant skills with others. David provided invaluable service to his father as his caregiver and companion during his father’s declining years. David never complained. He always treated and cared for his father with respect.
David will be deeply missed by his devoted wife Claudia and his 5 siblings and their spouses: James Frederick (Yuko) Murray of Covington, Washington; John William (Rose Marie) Murray of Bountiful, Utah; Joseph Wright (Holly) Murray of Boise, Idaho; Loretta Hansen (Alan) Au of Tarzana, California; Andrew McGee (Angela) Murray of Blackfoot, Idaho. He leaves 17 nieces and nephews. We will remember David every time we sing his favorite hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour”, especially the last line, “Oh bless me now my Savior, I come to Thee.”
Family and friends are invited to a viewing, Friday February 16 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm or Saturday, February 17 from 10:00 -10:45 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1495 West Tamarack Road, Taylorsville, Utah 84123. The funeral will be held Saturday February 17 at 11:00 am at the same address.