Retired SMSGT Barry Murray, 85, died Feb. 26, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center, Sioux City, Iowa.
Barry arrived at the home of Ralph and Ethel Murray on Aug. 2, 1930. While still very young they moved to Sioux City, Iowa, living on Jackson Street where his brother James was born. Barry attended Sioux City Schools and graduated from Central. He worked at Johnson Biscuit and Farmers Lumber.
He married Ruth Gross in 1952 and they had three children, Michael, Carla Behm, and Diana Johnston. In 1950 he signed on with the U.S. Air Force, serving 10 generals throughout his career and making many friends on flight crews he served with and fellow service members. He served in Massachusetts, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Germany, Arkansas, and in just one year he had over a million miles flying. In his 26 years 4 months and 3 days of service, he was in every country, some more than once. His last years of flying were in and out of Vietnam and he retired at Little Rock Ark., in 1976. While he was stationed in Germany he met and married Kathleen Quirk. In 1978 after their years in the service, they settled in South Sioux City.
When moving back to South Sioux City he took a job with Johnson Automatic Music and worked there until his full retirement. They then had time to travel and his most fun trip was through Canada and Alaska. Barry had many hobbies and loved to make things for people, including rocking horses, and kid’s stools.
He was also a collector of cows and John Deere tractors. He fell in love with the farm while visiting Kathleen’s relatives in Wisconsin. One big treat was talking with Kathleen’s Dad about the old days of farming and sitting with him at the fair watching the cattle judging or the big horse hitch classes.
Survivors include his brother and wonderful family who he loved dearly; his three children he was so proud of; and best of all his eight grandchildren; and the stars in his life were his five great-grandchildren.
He was further preceded in death by many relatives.
There will be a military service on Saturday, March 5, at 3 p.m., at the American Legion Hall, 109 E 19th St., South Sioux City, Neb. Mohr Funeral Home, Ponca, Neb., is serving the family.
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