Former Lemoore mayor and Naval Captain John Murray

Murray was an active member of the community. In addition to his duties as mayor, he was the past president of the South San Joaquin Division of the League of California Cities and served on the board of the Kings Community Action Organization, the Kings County Association of Governments, was a member of the Oversight Board of the Lemoore Redevelopment Agency and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Murray earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Villanova University, a Master’s in meteorology from the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School, and a Master’s in computer systems from National University.

The former mayor arrived in Lemoore with the U.S. Navy as a Naval aviator in 1967 and flew Navy fighters during the Vietnam War. He and his wife, Helen Murray, who worked for many years for the City of Lemoore, raised their three children here.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years Helen Murray of Lemoore, three children: John Francis Murray, M.D. and his wife Colleen of San Gabriel, Christopher M. Murray of Fresno, Marybeth Delaney and her husband Michael of San Diego, five grandchildren: Jack Murray, Aidan Murray, Michael Murray, McKayla Murray and Maggie Murray. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Julia Murray. He was the oldest of nine children.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lemoore with burial to follow at Lemoore Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel in Lemoore.

Friends who wish to may make donations to Mother Marie Andre, PCPA, Abbess, Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, Our Lady of Solitude Monastery, P.O. Box 639, Tonopah, AZ 85354-0639 or St. Peter’s Building Fund, 870 N. Lemoore Ave. Lemoore, CA 93245