Paul Timothy Murray Jr. was born to the union of Paul Timothy Murry Sr. and Annie Mae (Rivers) Murry on October 11, 1945 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Paul became the youngest of 4 children and was the only son.
At the early age of 3 Paul moved to LaGrange, IL and attended Second Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. Dr. J.W. Richard Owens where he accepted Christ at an early age. He attended Lyons Township High School, developed many talents but enjoyed racing and working on cars the most.
Paul found the love of his life Gennie Mae Maxwell and they united in matrimony on Januray 28, 1971. To this union one child was born, Monica Veretta Murray. As a family they attended Broadview Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Clarence W. Hopson where Paul served as an usher.
Paul drove bus for many years with West Town Bus Company, but found his passion in driving truck. He took a break to spend more time at home. During this time he worked at Helen Curtis in their printing department, but when they closed their Chicago facility he started his own trucking business. Paul was a great bowler, enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing. He could fix almost anything and would jury-rig something in a minute; he wasn’t afraid to try something new and would often encourage others to do the same. He was involved in his community and served 10 years as vice president of the 24th Avenue Block Club. Paul took pride in caring for his family, home, landscaping and of course - cooking on the grill! Rain, sleet, or snow you could find grill smoke coming from the backyard of the Murray's for all to enjoy the fruit of his labor.
In August of 2017, Paul and Gennie moved to Bloomington, IL to be closer to their grandchildren - Xavier and Ariel Washington who they love and spoiled. This was the first time Paul moved away from the Chicago land area so he spent time enjoying his grandchildren and riding around town discovering new sites and places. The Murrays soon became members of Union Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. U.D. Williams.
Paul was a loving husband, great father, awesome grandfather. He was a caring, supportive, a great friend, love to tell funny stories and love to have a good laugh which was infectious. Paul loved his family and his family loves him. It was God and this love that kept him going even when his health was failing him. He was strong and a true fighter. Paul was preceded in death by his parents Paul Timothy Sr. and Annie Mae Murray, two siblings Florence Hankins and Lonnie Ruth Murry, and son Brian Timothy Murray.
He leaves to cherish his loving memories; wife of 49 years Gennie M. Murray, daughter Monica V. Washington, son-in-law Enrico Washington, two grandchildren Xavier E. and Ariel P. Washington, sister Mary E. Murry of Sacramento, CA, a host of cousins, sister-in-laws, bother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
A private family funeral service will be held Sunday May 31st, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. The service will be live streamed. A public visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., while following social distancing guidelines, we will be allowing 10 guests in and out at a time.
