Robert C. Murray

Robert C. (Bob) Murray died peacefully at the age of 93, on December 17, 2019. His wife, Loretta, was by his side.   Bob was the second of three children born to RC and Grace (Eatwell) Murray, in Oklahoma City. His childhood was spent in Oklahoma City and Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, where he lived with colorful relatives such as Cicero Murray who practiced law. Cicero’s cousin was Oklahoma governor “Alfalfa Bill Murray”.   During World War II, Bob trained to be a Navy submarine Dolphin. Once it was discovered he could type, however, Bob served in an office in New London, Connecticut. After the war, Bob followed his sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Bill Curry, to Visalia. Although the others moved on, Bob stayed to make Visalia his home.   In 1955, Bob met and married Norma Olson. Together they raised two children, Sue and Scott. They traveled near and far, visiting many places, including Sweden, Norma’s ancestral home, and Scott and Hiroko’s home in Japan.   Although a piece of his heart was always in Oklahoma, Visalia was where Bob planted his roots. A small sampling of Bob’s accomplishments includes: President, Visalia Board of Realtors; Realtor of the Year; and Director, State Board of Realtors. He served on the Visalia Planning Commission; on the KDDH Hospital Board; and on the Board of Emergency Aid.   Bob was a committed member of Saint Paul’s Church, serving on the Vestry and as Treasurer for more than 40 years. He was a lifelong member and past president of West Visalia Kiwanis Club. But Bob’s involvement in his community went so much deeper. No job was too big or too small for him to volunteer. And most of the time it was done anonymously.   After Norma’s death, Bob reconnected with family friend, Loretta Hobbs and on New Year’s Day 2003, Scott married them in front of family and friends. Bob and Loretta continued to travel together and remained socially active, splitting their time between Visalia and Pismo Beach. They enjoyed playing cards, listening to Jazz and following the Karaoke circuit in Pismo.   Bob was truly a family man. He is survived by his wife Loretta Murray of Visalia, CA; his daughter Sue (Bobby) Meredith, Culpeper, VA; his son Scott (Hiroko) Murray, Omihachiman, Japan; and stepson Brett Hobbs, Visalia, CA. To his grandchildren, Shion, Keila, Trevor and Taylor, he was always “Popo”. To his nieces and nephew, Jan (Don) Hubbard, Jean Curry, Heather (Erik Fritz) Hubbard, Will (Suzy) and Farrah Hubbard, and to Becky Chambers, he was simply “Uncle B”.   A memorial service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church is being planned for April 25, 2020.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the St. Paul's Anglican Church Building Fund, www.visaliaanglicans.com.