Jim Murnane

Jim Murnane, 88, of Houston, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Harriet Ann; nine children; 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
The children include Tom (Cindy) of San Marcos, CA; Terry (Margaret) of The Woodlands, TX; Jim (Lorraine) of Wading River, NY; Ginny (Ty) Eckley of Kingwood, TX; Marsha (Boris) Siegel of San Marcos, CA; Joe of Montgomery, TX; Shelly (Brad) Lamb of The Woodlands, TX; Mike (Kim) of Richmond, TX and John (Kim) of San Antonio, TX.
Jim was proud to have graduated from St. Aquinas High School, in Columbus, Ohio in 1942. There he lettered in three sports, played halfback for the all-city team, and received the Agonis Award. In World War II, Jim joined the US Navy. During the Invasion of Normandy, he served aboard the LST 316 and LST 498, making over 50 round trips between England and France.
After his time in the Navy, Jim received a bachelor's degree from Denison University in Granville, Ohio. He completed additional courses at Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio and Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jim was with the General Electric Lamp Division for 37 years. He excelled as a salesman and then as a sales manager. Though work kept him busy, he found time to volunteer with Boy Scouts and help coach his sons football teams. In order to stretch a dollar, Jim & Harriet would take the family window-shopping on Sundays, when the stores were closed.
Jim was an avid sportsman and sports fan his entire life. He followed professional baseball and both college and professional football, and he played tennis and golf. He hit his first hole in one in the 1960's, when the family lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. After he retired, he served as Marshall at the Bear Creek Golf Course for several years, where he hit his second hole in one in 1995. He could be seen bike riding through Westchester through his 80's.
Since 1971, Jim has been an active parishioner and volunteer at St. John Vianney Church. Jim loved people, was a great husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend. He will be missed.
A Mass will be held in his honor Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Vianney Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, 77079 with a reception to follow. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation 1-866-232-8484. Condolences may be offered at www.millerfuneral.com