Leonard Len Arthur Murray Jr.

Leonard Arthur Murray, 53, of Brown County, died Friday evening in a line of duty accident while working at the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department in Brown County, Indiana. Murray worked for AT&T as the Damage Prevention Manager, Underground Utilities Indiana Area and was a Master Sergeant Controller/Trainer at U.S. Army Reserves with more than 34 years of active and reserve service. He was an active member of the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department in Brown County, IN., where he served as Captain, firefighter, first responder and nationally certified Red Card Wildland Firefighter. Amongst his many accreditations was the appointment as Community Emergency Response Coordinator (C.E.R.T.) in the Brown County, IN. area. Murray was an active participant in the Brown County community. He was a member & writer of FigTree Fellowship Radio Players located in Helmsburg, IN and co-authored several productions in which he also was featured. He was also an energetic participant in local politics and an active member of the Martinsville Tabernacle Baptist Church. Len grew up in Ohio City, Ohio, graduated from Ross High School in Hamilton, Ohio in 1975 and attended Concordia for Communication Management. “To make a difference” was Len’s goal in life. And he certainly did just that. He was generous in everything he did, loyal and passionate. He said many times “I like to enjoy and celebrate life and living”. He was known by his faith and believed “God is good, everyday”. His interests were many: movies (he spent 16 hours in the movie theater watching all three of the Lord of the Rings movies), acting (his favorite role was Gandalf and Spock), coffee shops (he was never without his to-go mug), religion, volunteering and writing. “Bud”, as he was known to his family, is survived by wife, Sandra, Brown County, also a member of the Jackson Township Fire Department, sons: Tommy Murray & Michael Murray, both of Portland OR., granddaughter, Liona Murray, brothers, Richard Murray, Dillsboro, IN. & Lewis “Adam” Murray, Maryland Hgts., MO. & sisters, Verna “Bunny” Helvik, Ronan, MT. & Patricia Murray-Gratias, Garden Grove, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard, Sr., & Jesslyn (Ball) Murray, & brothers, Steve & Theodore Murray. Len was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and colleague. He was a “by the book” individual who gave more than he took, loved and laughed more than most, and lived by the Christian principles he believed in. He will be remembered for his sense of humor by one of his favorite sayings: “This too shall pass-why put off till tomorrow what you can put off till next week.” His funeral service is Friday, November 12, 11:00 A.M. at Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle, 2189 Burton Lane, Martinsville, with Dr. Zemple officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Hopewell Cemetery, Rushville. The family will receive visitors Thursday, November 11, from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to, Jackson Twp. VFD, P.O. Box 610, Nashville, IN. 47448, or Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle, 2189 Burton Lane, Martinsville, IN. 46151. On line condolences may be sent to the family at www.bondmitchellfuneralhome.com Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Arrangements under the direction of Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home, Nashville, IN.