Raymond Hamilton Murray

Mr. Raymond Hamilton Murray, age 88 of Toccoa passed away Thursday, October 14, 2021 at his residence. 

A son of the late Raymond Ganson Murray and Emma Ruth Hamilton Murray, Raymond Hamilton Murray was born March 26, 1933 in Danbury, Connecticut.

Surviving is his beloved wife, Alice Marie Stock Murray; daughters, Lynn Perham and Katherine Murray, son-in-law David Wagener and Ruth Ann, son John Murray, granddaughter Jolynn and Graham Willoughby, grandsons, John Murray Jr., Malachi Williamson, great grandsons, Dylan Perham, Carter and Parker Willoughby, Luke Perham, Braxton Sellers, and great-granddaughter Raelynn Stimmel.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Glenn Murray and grandson, William Perham.

Our father was the priest of our home. What a man.  When Daddy said he was going to do something, Daddy did it.  When he provided for his wife and us, his children, he did it with integrity, hard work, and consistency. There was never a day we went without. There was never a time he put himself over us.  We were always his number one priority. Even in the last moments of his life, he just could not seem to close his eyes for one final time, it was almost as if he was hanging on for us.  He loved all of us equally, and you best believe that he loved my mama more than anyone on this earth.  We dare not disrespect her, especially in front of him.

He was a man who came home every night after a day of hard work.  We never wondered where he was, he was always there.  He came home smelling like saw dust and coffee.  He was a carpenter that worked with excellence.  Everything he did, he did with precision.  He could not walk past a frame hung crooked. Everything had to be level in the eyes of my father.  He did not squander his money on substances or materialistic luxuries. He was a simple man who just loved his family with every fiber of his being.

He met our mother when they were both 15 years of age.  He saw Alice Marie Stock and it was love at first sight.  He would tell us exactly what she was wearing the day he first laid eyes on her, red shorts and a black top.   When Daddy was drafted into the military at the age of 18, a few short years after first meeting our mother, he proposed to her before leaving for Korea.  He was not going to lose her while over seas.  They put together a wedding in three weeks.  That was nearly 70 years ago and his commitment to her and us has never wavered.  Even with the battle he faced in his latter years, he still coveted kisses from his honey.  Despite what he was going through he never did lose his deep connection with our mother, the love of his life. 

He read the Bible faithfully to us every night.  He planted seeds in our lives and they took root.  We all were able to grow together and change together in the Lord.  His grandchildren were treated as if they were his own offspring.  Daddy, aka Papa, was a gift from God.  He also extended his love to nieces and nephews.  His commitment to his mother was equally as beautiful, faithfully visiting her at every opportunity. When it was her time to transition from this life, he was by her bedside.  Daddy's love was evident in all he did.  When we grew older and moved out of the home, upon leaving from a visit with our parents, he would walk us out into the driveway and see us off. Without fail he would say to us, "keep the faith, stay out of mischief, and drive with care"  then stand and watch until we were out of sight. The legacy he leaves us is the fruit of his labors of love.  The heavenly father has blessed us with the greatest earthly father a child could ask for.

Graveside services will be Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 1 O’clock p.m. at the Stephens Memorial Gardens with The Reverend Bobbie Owens officiating.  The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers, John Murray, John Murray, Jr., Malachi Williamson, Chuck Northrup, Dave Wood and Bobbie Owens.  Military Honors will be by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the V.F. W. Post 4346 Honor Guard.

Interment will follow in the Stephens Memorial Gardens with the Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Raymond Hamilton Murray.