Robert Alan Murray passed away unexpectedly on July 10, 2022 from heart related complications from a recent surgery. Robert was born on December 21, 1958 in Burtonwood – Lancashire, England. He is the son of Master Sergeant William Wallace Murray and Mary Gene Hudson Murray. Robert enjoyed growing up in a large military family with two brothers and two sisters. The Air Force shaped their lives as his family moved around wherever his father’s career took them. His childhood took him from Waco, TX, Shallowater, TX, ultimately landing in New Boston, TX when Robert was nine years old. Robert, or “Bob”, to most, considered New Boston his hometown. Bob lived there until he graduated from New Boston High School in 1977. He decided to “join the family business” after high school and enlisted in the United States Air Force. By that time his older brothers Gary and Bill were already serving. Bob began his active-duty career as an aircraft electrical technician working on B-52’s and KC-10’s. During his active-duty years, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and ended up at Barksdale AFB, LA. After his active-duty service came to an end in 1981, Bob decided to join the Air Force Reserve and became an Air Reserve Technician in the 917th at Barksdale AFB. He thrived working at the 917th for 33 years. Bob considered his service in the 917th one of his greatest achievements in his life. By the time he retired in 2014 he had risen to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force, and served as the 307th Maintenance Squadron Superintendent with almost 35 years of service.
Bob’s retirement years brought him much joy as he had time to spend with his wife Shelley living the retired life. They took trips to visit his children and grandchildren—sometimes near and sometimes far. He always came back from visiting them bragging about his grandchildren and beaming with pride for his daughter Jamie and son Alan. Golf is one of the activities he enjoyed throughout his life. He and his son Alan, teamed up just a week before his passing, winning the tournament! Bob also enjoyed playing golf on a regular basis with his brother Bill and their adopted troop of weekly retired players at Crooked Hollow and other courses in the area.
Services in his honor will begin with a Visitation from 5 – 7 pm, Thursday, July 14, 2022. The Funeral will be at 2:00 pm, Friday, July 15. Each of the services will be held at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home in Haughton, LA.
Surviving Robert is his wife of 12 years, Shelley Murray, brother Gary Murray & his wife Jeannie, brother Bill Murray & his wife Marcy, sister Rebecca Murray Smith & her husband Dane, his daughter Jamie Murray McGowan & her husband Joseph, his son Alan Murray & his wife Jasmin, fathers and mothers-in-law Jim & Ruth Thigpen and Ken & Merle Bradford. Stepchildren are Bryant Bradford & his wife Melissa. Jennifer Burrowes & her husband Ted, and Jamie Thompson.
Grandchildren are Madison McGowan, Robert, Grace, and William Murray. Step-grandchildren Jaycee and Lydia Bradford, Joshua and Mackenzy Marshburn, Kalie McGlothin, Addison Lewis and Delilah Burrowes.
Predeceasing Robert are his parents, sister Charlotte, and brother-in-law Bill Jessee.
Godspeed Bob, you will be missed more than you could have possibly imagined!!!!
