John Marion Murray

Sept. 3, 1944 – May 7, 2020

Homer resident, Mr. John Marion Murray, 75, died Thursday, May 7, 2020 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer.

Memorial services will be held at noon Friday, May 15, 2020 at Peninsula Memorial Chapel — 5839 Kenai Spur Highway – Kenai, Alaska 99611. Pastor Phil Murphy will be officiating.

John was born Sept. 3, 1944 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He graduated high school, EMT Training, and Surface Based Observations for working on the DEW line. He was a Seaman Apprentice, UDT trained, and served on the USS Currituck from 1962-1963. In 1983 he moved to Alaska, first living in Anchorage, Fritz Creek and finally Anchor Point. John worked as a carpenter, in DEW Line site support, and as an EMT in Anchorage. He enjoyed wood working, fishing, gardening, bowling and boating. He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church.

The family wrote, “John was always supportive and understanding, a great guy to have on your side. He loved to laugh, dance and have a good time. He was also known to tell a tall tale or two that would end up with all of us laughing, together. A real number one Grampa. We love and miss you.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aida and John B. Murray; sister, Carroll Scrogins; and nephew, Keith Stokes.

He is survived by his daughters, Heidi Palicio (Murray) of Farmington, New Mexico, Wendy Murray and Danielle (Ramon) Reyes of Anchor Point; sons, Jody Hahnlen and Roddy Hahnlen of Alaska and Oregon; brothers, Emmett “Dale” (Nancy) Forrester of Idaho and Richard (Arlene) Forrestor of LaVista, Nebraska; sister, Elene Stokes of Washington; nieces, Valorie andRod Vaughn, Jean Forrester, Michelle and Larry Janicek, Ellen and Dean Woods, and Shelly and Ron Mackie; nephews, Lee and Dianna Forrester, John and Jesse Forrester and Tim Forrester; granddaughters, Stephanie Palicio, Jacqueline Palicio, Maxinne Palicio, and Alex and Jennifer Feustal, Katrina Reyes, Marina Reyes, and Josaphine Reyes; grandsons, Alex Palicio and Jacob Ariola; great-granddaughters, Mackenzie and Savannah Feustal; and great-grandson, Harrison Feustal.

Arrangements made by Homer Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Please visit or sign his online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com.