Paul Gerard Murray

On May 16, 1957, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, proud parents, Paul J. and Elizabeth G. (Locey) Murray welcomed home their baby boy, Paul Gerard. Born premature without any fingernails, toenails, or hair, he brought much joy and happiness to the family home. A lifelong resident of Plainwell, Paul’s life was filled with adventure right from the start. One of eight children, and the oldest boy, there was never a moment in the Murray household when he wasn’t helping with changing a diaper or mowing the lawn. He and his siblings had their fair share of mischief and squabbles, yet Paul was a good role model and a great big brother. Born with an innate drive for setting out to accomplish whatever he put his mind to do, it was no surprise that by the tender age of twelve years old, Paul went to work for Murray Packing, the family meat processing business. A student at St. Margaret School and a graduate of the Class of 1975 from Plainwell High School, he set off for Central Michigan University. While at CMU, he was a member of Theta Chi Business Fraternity and made lifelong friendships with his fraternity brothers. Social by nature, Paul struggled to balance his love of people with his studies leading his father to make him pay his own way through school. Although his mother was known to sneak him book money from time to time, Paul was proud to have earned money buying cattle to support himself through school, earning the name “Meat.” In addition to the hard work he put forth, he was also known to have a little fun on the side, such as attending many of the football games, especially the rivalry between his hometown team, WMU, and his alma mater, CMU, where he was once rumored to have streaked across the field. After graduation, he returned to work at Murco where he made a lifelong career in managing the business, bringing innovative ideas to support its success over the years. Paul and Katy Abbey were married in 1983. Together, they raised 4 beautiful children, Paul, Leah, Natalie and Abby Murray. These years were full of car rides, family golf outings, pool parties at Grandmas and trips to Plainwell Ice Cream. After a long day of selling meat and playing golf, Paul would come home to wash dishes, do laundry and clean up after his children. He would end the night by sharing a plate of steak and potatoes with his four creatures at his favorite restaurant “Murrays.” During Paul’s bachelor days, he discovered ballroom dancing, bought a pool table, got a boat, played on a dart league, baked "sugar free" treats, enjoyed LOTS more golf, and went beyond his comfort zone to fill his life with things that brought him joy. Paul had “the best house on the lake,” and always a new toy to show off to his people. He encouraged his children to stay for months at a time, just to have an excuse to clean up after them. Paul never saw the reason to leave Plainwell, yet it gave him great joy to live vicariously through his wanderlust children. His kids traveled to the ends of the earth, backpack in tow, constantly providing him with new stories to tell and photographs to share. In 2013, Paul’s great friend, Herb Ayres, made an introduction to a friend, Patti Owens, and 3 years later, Paul and Patti were married at St. Margaret Catholic Church with all 8 of their children by their side. Paul was especially close to all these kids, always reaching out to them and inviting them over for cookouts and time together. He was always willing to share advice, listen to their stories or ask for a hand with a home project. Paul never failed to tell each how much he loved them whenever they came over to visit or before they hung up the phone. “I love you, dude,” was spoken quite often. His family meant everything to him and they knew it. Paul held a vast array of special interests over the years. Friends and family will remember his hill of yarrow which he tended to constantly. He was always active and on the go. Most days started with his true joy: Cleaning the house. He had a healthy routine of eating well and core training with his pal, Herb. Paul was dedicated to physical fitness and said that working out was his “health insurance.” When the weather was warm enough (that is, no snow), Paul would take the polar plunge to enjoy a swim, either in the middle of the lake or across his beloved Sheltered Cove. Paul hit golf balls nearly every day of the year. He would always say “We’re not going to get this day back, so why not?” Paul was a natural when it came to the game of golf. He (not so secretly) prized 3 Holes In One at his home course of Lake Doster, which he treated as his own backyard. He had a trail from his house to the 6th teebox. He encouraged everyone into the sport. He loved his Doster golf leagues and the often “just a few holes” he could grab in between with his treasured golf cart. When it came time for competition, Paul’s first love was golf, but he welcomed (invited) any friend or neighbor to a friendly game of pool, especially if you brought money. When it came time to relax, Paul enjoyed floating his pontoon on Lake Doster soaking up the sun and taking in the beautiful surroundings. He and Patti and their expanded brood spent countless evenings cruising the lake and its beautiful coves, swimming, goofing off and, occasionally, making a little trouble. Paul’s home was always an open house, and he loved to entertain, especially by grilling the meat of the day like nobody else could do (just ask him) and he delighted in sharing his home, his great wine collection and, mostly, laughter and love with family and friends. Above all else, Paul was a man of deep faith, a lifelong member of St. Margaret Catholic Church. He enjoyed many years of sharing his musical talents and gifts singing baritone in the church choir during the Saturday evening masses and he valued his spiritual life, whether singing, praying or giving of himself to others. Paul modeled a life of integrity and compassion. Paul’s work here on Earth touched the hearts of countless people and may his memory be eternal. "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12 Paul Gerard Murray passed away unexpectedly on January 20, 2020, at the age of 62. Surviving are his mother, Betty of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the love of his life, his wife Patti Owens, his children: Paul Murray of Ann Arbor, Leah (Josh) Coleman of Austin, Texas, Natalie (Jairo “Jay” Guzman) Murray of Chicago, Illinois, Abby (David O’Connor) Murray of Australia and his step children, Zachary (Savannah) Hathaway of Otsego, Ty (Katie Reid) Hathaway of St. Petersburg, Florida, Amy (Dan) Albanese of Washington DC, and Cassidy (Seth) Johnson of Gobles, two grandchildren, Ruby Coleman and Harrison Hathaway, his siblings, Jennifer (Andy) Cole of Tucson, Arizona, Jeff Murray of Plainwell, Anna (Larry) Dennany of Plainwell, Amy Murray of Berkeley, California, Tina Murray of Oakland, California, Kevin Murray of Kalamazoo and Joe (Leticia) Murray of Buchanan, as well as several nieces, nephews, the mother of his children, Katy Peterson of St. George, Utah, and a host of loving friends. Paul was preceded in death by his father, Paul Murray Sr.