Leonard Murkey

"Leonard", "Len", "Dad", "Daddy Murkey", "Uncle Len", "Grand Daddy", "Grandpa Murkey", "Murk", "Chief" and "Big Fella" - all were names for Leonard Murkey who was bigger than life to those who loved and knew him.

Len was born to Juanita and James Murkey on June 21, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began his Homegoing on Saturday, December 10, 2011.

His mother moved her family to Chicago, Illinois, and later to Benton Harbor, Michigan, where Len enjoyed his studies, boxing and football, graduating in 1955 from Benton Harbor High School. Len's passion for learning never ended. After distinguishing himself with a 28 year career in the United States Air force, achieving the highest non-commissioned rank of Chief Master Sargeant, he went on to earn a B.S. in Human Resource Mangement from the New School for Social Research in New York, followed by a Masters degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

In 1964, Len accepted a position as Property Administrator with the Computer Science Corporation. He was also a facilitator at the University of Phoenix's School of Business. Always active, Len became a member of the American Legion Post 410 of Benton Harbor, Michigan, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Masonic Lodge, where he achieved the rank of Worshipful Master and was celebrated as Master Mason of the Year in 1986.

In 2002, Len married Virginia Hill, whom he called "Miss Ginny" and what a life they had! What a ball they had! They shared many wonderful moments together, traveling, golfing and a serious passion for jazz. In fact, they seldom missed the Playboy, Newport and West Coast Jazz Festivals.

Len was a beloved father, who with Mamie, his late wife of 40 years, raised three children; Alphonso, David and Kathy.

In 2010 his oldest son, Alphonso Griffin Murkey, preceded him in his Homegoing, joining Len's mother, Juanita Murkey Ransom and step-father, Ivory Ransom, his sister, Juanita, his brother, Stan and a brother-in-law, Lemar Robinson. He leaves to celebrate his life, his wife, Virginia "Ginny" Murkey of Banning, CA; his remaining brothers, Clifford of Chicago, IL, Charles of Rockville, MD and his sisters, Anna Mae Robinson of Benton Harbor, MI, Elenore Murkey, Audrey Ransom and Thelma "Raynell" Rasom, all of Waukegan, IL. Also, he leaves, David Griffin Murkey of Kansas City, MO, Kathryn (Murkey) King of Dallas, TX and John Hill, Jr of Orlando, FL. Len was rich in grandchildren, including Alphonso Marshall, Terri Griffin-Mack and Stephanie Balls of Sacramento, CA, Aesha Griffin of Olathe, KS, Nadirah Burns of Kansas City, MO, Sharif Griffin of Blue Springs, MO, Jarrod Griffin of Denver, CO, David Griffin, Jr. of Kansas City, MO, Tracy Ramos of Plano, TX, Kwan Brown of Suwanee, GA, Nia Brown-Berry of Round Rock, TX and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Visitation, Monday, December 19, 2011, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Tuesday, December 20, 2011, one hour before services. Funeral service, Tuesday, December 20, 2011, 11:00 AM, all at Weaver Mortuary, 1177 Beaumont Ave, Beaumont, CA. Graveside service, Tuesday, December 20, 2011, 1:00 PM, Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 E. Washington St., Colton, CA, with military honors provided by the United States Air Force. Arrangements were entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, California.