James Joseph Murdoch

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James Joseph Murdoch of Mesa, Arizona transitioned peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Jim, or Jimmy as he was also called by many, was born June 6, 1943 to the late James MacPherson and Mary Clare (Hughes) Murdoch.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Catherine Anne (Miller), his adoring children, Richard (Shireen Behzadi) Johnson, David (Joy) Johnson, Stephen Murdoch, Sandra (Camron) Becker, and Scott (Cristy Hill) Murdoch.

He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren; Lewis Johnson, Andrew (Amanda Mahon) Johnson, Brent Johnson, David (Alyssa Novello) Johnson, Jr., Camron (Mallory Little) Becker, Jr., Annabelle (Zack Hurd) Becker, Elias (Josh Prince) Becker, Maggie Becker, Murdoch Becker, Hannah Murdoch and Brody Murdoch and his great grandchildren; Violet Belle Johnson and Caroline Grace Hurd.

He is survived by his siblings; Mary V. (Donald - deceased) Pellizzaro, Barbara Knierim, Jean (Jim) Keeney, Maureen (Ray) Bradford and Michael Murdoch; numerous cousins he was immensely fond of.

He is an adoring uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Sadly, he is predeceased by his baby brother, Michael David the 1st, and his granddaughter, Brianna Lynn Johnson.

Jim was born in Chicago, IL and spent several of his younger years on the Southside, but then moved to Mokena, IL where he grew up and lived most of his life. He was an alumni of St. Mary’s Grade School in Mokena, attended Joliet Catholic for two years and graduated from Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox. Long time parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mokena and volunteered where needed.

He was widely known as “Jimmy the Well Guy” because of his years of service with K & K Well Drilling and eventually Murdoch & Son Well & Pump Service. If you knew Big Jim you remember the signature blue pump truck around the Mokena area. After moving to Arizona, he continued and finished his water well career with Weber Group, LC out of Chandler. He was a member of the National Ground Water Association and the Illinois Ground Water Association.

Jim and Cathy established a new life in Arizona where they made many wonderful memories exploring, fishing and camping throughout the state with family and friends over the last 25 years.