Charles Thomas Murray

Charles Thomas Murray Born November 26, 1921  Passed away peacefully on May 4, 2018 in Lynnwood, Wa. in the presence of his four sons and family.

Funeral services will be held at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church Thursday May 17th at 11am 6511 176th st SW, Lynnwood WA. 98037. A Rosary will be said at 10:30am prior the memorial.

Charles Thomas Murray was born on November 26, 1921, in Dunseith North Dakota. He passed away peacefully on May 4, 2018, in Lynnwood, Washington in the presence of his four sons and family. Charlie had seven siblings and now joins his sisters Ethel, Evelyn, Beva and brothers Francis and Owen. He is survived by his brother Mike and sister Rozella.

Born on a farm during the great depression. The family left for the west coast in 1938 and settled in La Grande, Oregon. Charlie became active in track and football during his high school and college years. Soon after Graduation, he headed to Seattle for work at Boeing. He then married his first wife Evelyn and they gave birth to their son Lawrence. Unfortunately, the marriage was short-lived. Charlie then chose to focus on his new career at the City of Seattle as a traffic engineer.

As was the tradition of the entire Murray family he was a faithful member of the local Catholic parish. In 1956, at 34 years of age, he became the 55th Grand Knight at the Seattle Knights of Columbus where he served with his Father Thomas Murray, and brothers, Francis and Owen.

Charlie soon met and married Maxine Sparks. They had three boys Stephen, Gordon, and Roger. The family went on to create lasting memories as they built their dream cabin on Whidbey Island overlooking the water. Soon after the cabin was built, Charlie began building the house he designed in Lake City. In the midst of some of their fondest experiences at their cabin and coaching little league, the family went through an extended season where Maxine experienced complicated health issues that ended her life early in 1981.

After retiring from the City of Seattle, Charlie began working with the Safety Signal Company that his close friend Al Matthews had begun. He eventually married his co-worker Jeanette Stumpf. They loved to fish, bowl, and travel together. Together they had a home built in Mukilteo. Towards the end of 24 years of marriage, Jeanette passed away after a bout with cancer.

Charlie then spent his later years at Quail Park Assisted Living, where he enjoyed being surrounded by a fantastic staff and beautiful neighbors.

He was known throughout his life as “Good Time Charlie,” He loved square dancing, clam bakes, and parties. At the cabin, he would hand you a martini made in a paper cup and at Quail Park, he was known for handing out suckers to everyone he saw.

Despite some very challenging seasons, Charlie was a constant, steady, and committed man whose faith did not fail him. Even though he was known as a man of few words, our visits with him often ended with a prayer for a family member. One of the life lessons he taught us by example was- tough times come, and when they come, you stay the course.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful“
Apostle Paul 2 Timothy 4:7 nlt