Michael Edward "Mike" Murray

MICHAEL EDWARD "MIKE" MURRAY 71, formerly of West Virginia, passed away on September 9, 2023, in Ormond Beach, Florida.
Mike died peacefully with his family at his side, not far from the ocean and home that he called "paradise" during retirement.
Mike was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on July 18, 1952, to Rex Murray, a postal worker, and Madge (Morris) Murray, a public-school teacher who played in a rock band. Mike spoke fondly of his carefree childhood. He spent his days fishing on the Kanawha River, riding bikes with his brother Steve and friends on the West Side, swimming at Rock Lake Pool, and running track. He was surrounded by family, including grandparents to whom he was close, and his mother often opened their home to young people with no other place to stay. That generosity of spirit would remain with Mike throughout his life. Mike graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1970 and later obtained an engineering degree from West Virginia Institute of Technology. He loved puzzling over how to build things. Mike held jobs with American Bridge and West Virginia Steel before founding a steel business in 1986 in his home basement. By the time Mike retired, he and his business partners had grown that company-Structural Systems, Inc.-into a steel fabrication facility that employed twenty people in Nitro.
Mike's greatest love, though, was his family. He met his wife Bonnie Medley on a blind date in college and was smitten. The two were married for nearly 49 years and had two daughters together. Mike showed his love for family by doing - like the time he designed and built his kids a custom tree house (ER trip included) - and he was a constant in their lives. For every major milestone, he was there. More recently, Mike relished becoming a grandfather. Known as "Paps" to his grandkids, Mike found joy in playing games, reading his grandchildren stories, and showing them his collection of coins, toy cars, and other memorabilia.
Mike is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his daughters Taryn Murray (Kyle Seifert) and Julie Murray (Matthew Littleton); his grandchildren Nora and Nathan Littleton; his brother Steve Murray; his siblings by marriage Jackie Payne and Darren Gullion; and numerous other family members and friends who loved him.
A service to celebrate Mike's life will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 1 p.m., at the Coonskin Park Clubhouse, 2000 Coonskin Drive, Charleston, West Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in memory of Mike to the Humane Society at www.humanesociety.org. Memories of Mike can also be shared with the family by email at mikemurraymemories@gmail.com.