Leo Alger "L.A." Murray Jr.

Leo Alger "L.A." Murray, Jr., of Haslett (formerly of Lansing) passed away peacefully Sunday, May 2, 2010 at the age of 85. L.A. was born March 23, 1925 to Leo Alger, Sr. and Lillian Murray, the second youngest of their six children. L.A. graduated from Mason High School. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman near the end of World War II. Upon returning from the service, L.A. attended Michigan State College (MSU) and graduated with a degree in business administration in 1950. He married Helen Chittenden in 1953 and they had four children. He was widowed in 1965. In 1966 he met Joyce Junek, a widow herself, and assumed fatherhood to her three children when they married in June 1967. He and Joyce deliberately and successfully united these two families into one. The "Murray Bunch" settled in Grand Ledge for the next 22 years. L.A. spent the last 25 years of his working career at George Worthington Co. in Lansing. He was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church, Lansing where he served as deacon, elder and trustee. L.A. also volunteered with the Red Cross. He was preceded in death by one sister and three brothers, his first wife Helen, and his beloved wife of 39 years, Joyce, and many other extended family members. Family was always paramount to L.A., and he will be remembered for the unconditional love and support he showed all of us. He is survived by one brother, Max (Mary Jean) Murray of Beaverton, OR; sons: Gary of Lansing, Jeff of DeWitt, Doug (Pam) of Clinton, Tim (Gladys) of Carlsbad, CA, and Andy (Elaine) of Mountain View, CA; and daughters: Tana (Bob) Boehm of Grand Ledge and Linda (John) Dietrich of Kentwood. Grandpa Murray adored his grandchildren: Tricia (Flint), Barb, Ben, Brian, Kim, Margaret, Alex and Sofi, one great-grandchild Brock, and one step-great-grandson Flint. L.A. loved to garden, play golf and dance. He was an avid MSU sports fan. He was quick with a smile and endeared himself to everyone he met. L.A. was a source of quiet strength, humility and kindness; a true gentleman. A memorial service will be held Monday, May 10, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 510 W. Ottawa, Lansing. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, May 9th at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. A second visitation will be held at the church prior to the memorial service beginning at 9:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Lansing in memory of L.A. Murray.