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Gordon Murray Obituary

Capt. Gordon Lawrence Murray, USN (Ret.) SEABROOK ISLAND, SC - Slipped the surly bonds of Earth and touched the face of God on the afternoon of February 19, 2011. Capt. Gordon Lawrence Murray, USN (Ret), loving husband of Sara Slater Murray. Residence, Seabrook Island, South Carolina. The relatives and friends of Captain and Mrs. Murray are invited to attend the funeral services of the former on Monday February 28, 2011, at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, at 11 a.m. Committal services will be at a later date to be announced in Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL. Captain Murray was born September 9, 1932, in Summit, New Jersey, son of the late Gordon L. Murray and the late Gerda Kjaer Sorensen Murray. He served with distinction and honor and retired from the United States Navy with 26 years of service. He was a member of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, member of the Seabrook Island Club, Association of Naval Aviation, member of the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, and The Early and Pioneer Naval Aviation Association (GOLDEN EAGLES). Captain Murray was known by those who knew and loved him as "THE WORLD'S GREATEST FIGHTER PILOT". He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Sara of Seabrook Island; son; Gordon Lawrence Murray III of Roswell, GA, and his wife Amy and daughters Emma and Maggie; son; Michael John Murray of Charleston, SC, and his loving friend Cathleen Nixon; and daughter Susan Murray Sorensen of Hanover, NH; and her husband Paul, sons Daniel, Christoffer, and Martin; and his beloved dog Herbie. The Murray family is especially grateful for the loving and professional care provided by Dr. George P. Keough, his staff, and the staff of Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. Captain Murray was also lovingly cared for by his long time Navy friend, Dr. Gerald King of Seabrook Island. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203, and/or The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation 1750 Radford Blvd, Suite B, NAS Pensacola, FL 32508. A memorial message may be written to family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Feb. 20 to Feb. 22, 2011.
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5 Entries

I had the pleasure of spending four years with Gordo at the University of Delaware. There was never a dull moment. I will miss my dear friend.

Frank Gyetvan

March 7, 2011

Dear Sara,

I'm so sorry to hear the sad news about Gordon. I felt as if I knew him through Phyllis and Steve, and I know he leaves a legacy of love for his family, his friends and his country. May God give you peace, and may you find comfort in your memories.

Love,
Janie

Jane Young Jones

February 22, 2011

Sara, Bruddy, Susan, and Michael,

Steve and I so sorry for the loss of a great husband and father as well as a good friend. We wish we were closer so we could be with you at this time. Sara, we will see you soon .

Phyllis and Steve Stephens

Steve & Phyllis Stephens

February 22, 2011

With loving thoughts of my Uncle Gordon. Your laughter and love through the years are true treasures in my life. I was deeply grateful for the close ties you had to my parents. May Aunt Sara and your family find peace and strength through God at this time.
Uncle Gordon had a spirit bigger than any room could hold. He drew people to him, talked with them about their big dreams, and launched them off with a positive tail wind and a reminder to have fun along the way. He has made his mark on this world and in the skies - Love, Marianne May (Annandale, VA)

Marianne May

February 22, 2011

Lieutenant "Gordo" Murray seemed "Larger than Life" in early 1964 when he flew a new F-4B Phantom II to Sherman Field in Pensacola, FL for a "Show-&-Tell for one of the Navy's first Naval Aviation Observer (NAO) Training classes. While standing in awe of the giant Phantom jet, I was struck by Gordo's sage advice: "Be number-one in your class, kid and you can chose your own orders!" This he said while holding an unlit cigar with the plane staged inside the hangar! I later flew with Gordo in VF-101 as a student, and had to believe that maybe he WAS the "World's Greatest Fighter Pilot"! GOD Bless GORDO who led from the front w/o regard for "Political Correctness". He was an ICON in Naval Aviation, and set the high water mark with character and all the stuff that true legends are made from.
Capt John Monroe Smith, USN, (Ret)

J. Monroe Smith

February 21, 2011

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