Our beloved father, John Weiss Murray, left this world to eternal life on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. John Weiss Murray was born May 26, 1943, in Ripon, Wisconsin to John and Nellie Murray and he was the second of three sons. He grew up in Ripon, Wisconsin, graduated from Ripon High School and Ripon College. He served in the United States Army from 1968-1970 during the Vietnam War and earned a Purple Heart while sustaining life-changing injuries that left him paraplegic. Despite his injuries, he still dreamed of being a father. Unable to adopt in the United States due to his disability, he went to South America where his brother worked. He adopted two children, and they were the pride and joy of his life. He moved to Lubbock in 1975 where he was employed by the VA working in the orthotics department and helping veterans with injuries restart. He also worked at Reese Air Force Base, owned J & J Orthotics, and briefly taught at Brown Elementary. When Reese was deactivated in 1995, he was transferred to Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio where he made his home for 26 years. When he retired from the Air Force, he became an active member of the United Methodist Church, served as president of the Del Rio Lion Club, and owned his own tax service. He moved back to Lubbock in 2021 to be closer to his daughter.

He is survived by his children Elizabeth Murray-Seaman of Lubbock and Michael Murray of Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren Kristoper Gaona and wife Amber of Lubbock, Faith Ann Murray of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Jacob Gaona of Lubbock, Zachary Seaman of Lubbock; great-granddaughter Violet Gaona of Lubbock; and his two brothers William Murray of Florida and Bob Murray of Massachusetts.

Celebration of Life services are pending at this time and will be posted shortly. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in John’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project.