Austin Jacob Murray

With heavy hearts, we remember and honor the life of Austin Jacob Murray, who passed away on January 23, 2026, at the age of 22. Austin fought a long and incredibly difficult seven-year battle with craniopharyngiomas, and multiple health issues related to these tumors. What began as benign brain tumors later turned malignant in December 2025 despite multiple surgeries, gamma knife radiation, a Phase I clinical trial, and modulated radiation. Through it all, Austin showed a level of strength, perseverance, and quiet courage that inspired everyone who walked beside him on this journey.

Austin attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) from PreK3- 8th grade and graduated in 2018. During his time at OLPH, he participated in multiple sports through CYO and his middle school teams. He participated in soccer, flag football, track, tackle football, and baseball. He played for the BVYA Knights and the Saints for Pop Warner Football. Austin was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout during his elementary and middle school years, as well.

Austin graduated from St. John Paul II Catholic High School in 2022. During his time there, he was a member of the varsity football, varsity baseball, and the clay target shooting teams—activities that reflected his competitive nature, discipline, and love of the outdoors. After high school, Austin attended Texas State University, pursuing studies in Agricultural Mechanics until his illness made it necessary for him to step away from his undergraduate studies.

Austin was a hard worker and fought to maintain his independence. He worked full-time at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in San Marcos, showing the same determination and responsibility in his job that he showed in every part of his life.

Austin loved being outdoors and felt most himself in nature. Fishing, hiking, and hunting brought him peace, and he enjoyed working with his hands—building things, fixing things, and especially spending time working on his truck. These were the moments when Austin was happiest, content in the quiet, doing what he loved.

He is preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Mary Frizzell; grandmothers, Norma Frizzell-Galvan and Diana Murray; and great-uncle, John J. Murray, Jr.

Austin is survived by his parents, Tina and Ted Murray; sister, Amy Murray; aunt, Regina Galvan-Garcia, her husband, Ronald, and their son, R.J.; aunt, Jaclyn Paz, her husband, Daniel, and their children, Jackson and Jared; his beloved companion and rescue dog, Yoda; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members and good friends.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the many medical professionals who provided compassionate care throughout Austin’s journey, including Christopher Bogaev, MD and staff; the healthcare teams at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak; the START Center, especially Kyriakos Papadopoulos, MD, Carolyn Neumann, RN, Keith Eyres, MD and staff; Hope Hospice; and the M.D. Anderson Brain and Spine Center.

Special thanks are also offered to the family members and friends whose love, prayers, and unwavering support surrounded Austin during his life and illness.

Austin’s courage, perseverance, and love for life will be remembered always by those who knew and loved him.

The family will receive friends at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N. Loop 1604 E., with a rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Selma, 16075 N. Evans Rd.

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Defense League, https://adltexas.org/donation/, or M.D. Anderson Brain and Spine Center, https://gifts.mdanderson.org/Default.aspx?tsid=37435.