Monty Ray Murray 1937 - 2026 BHS Class of 1955
Tom Estes
Monty Ray Murray passed away on May 12, 2026, in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the age of 88, leaving behind a life that was as full of heart as it was of humor. Born on July 15, 1937, in Stroud, Oklahoma, he carried the steady spirit of a small-town boy and the easy charm of a man who could make a room feel lighter just by walking into it. He lived with a warmth that made people feel welcome, a generosity that came naturally, and a friendliness that never seemed to run out of gas.
Monty was the beloved husband of the late Georgia Murray, and the two shared a life built on love, loyalty, and the kind of partnership that could survive just about anything except maybe a bad fishing day. He was a devoted father to Monty Lee Murray, Bobby Wayne Murray, and Steve Murray, and he also held a special place in the life of his stepdaughter, Katherine Tiffany. He was preceded in death by his sister Betty Gibson, his brother James, known to many as Jab, and his wife Georgia. He is survived by his sisters Geraldine Patrick and Flora Bartyzal. His family was one of the great joys of his life, and he treasured time with his children and grandchildren.
Monty attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, where he studied business. He served his country as a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he was an Artilleryman deploying the Scorpion Ground Missile Defense System and was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. He carried that chapter of his life with quiet pride, the way many good men do, not with a lot of bragging, but with the steady confidence of someone who had done his duty and done it well. He understood service, discipline, and responsibility, and he brought those same values into every part of his life afterward.
After his military service, Monty built a long and respected career in the insurance industry, where he worked for more than 40 years. He retired as a Catastrophe Claims Adjuster for Pilot/State Farm Insurance. He knew how to handle pressure, how to talk to people, and how to show up when things were difficult. In a world that often feels like it is held together by duct tape and good intentions, Monty was one of the people who helped keep it all from falling apart.
Monty was spiritual in his faith and lived with a quiet sense of purpose that reflected his values. He enjoyed fishing in the bays and lakes of South Texas, where he could spend time outdoors and pretend, like all serious fishermen, that the next cast was definitely the one. He loved dancing, listening to 50's and 60's rock and roll, and watching Houston sports teams compete. He also loved being around his children and grandchildren, and those moments were among the happiest of his life. He had a gift for enjoying the simple things, and he made them feel important because to him they were.
Those who knew Monty will remember him as loving, generous, and friendly, three words that fit him so naturally they sound almost too modest for the man himself. He always had an opinion and could deliver it with a comedian’s sense of timing.
Monty’s life was a fine example of how to do things the right way while still having a good time doing them. He served his country, worked hard, loved his family, and never lost the ability to enjoy a good song, a good dance, or a good story. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and laughter that will continue to echo in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. If heaven has a porch, a fishing spot, and a radio playing old rock and roll, Monty has probably already found the best seat in the house.
