Larry Bernard Murray

June 10, 1950 - May 1, 2008

                Lifelong resident Larry B. Murray passed away, Thursday, May 1, 2008 at a local care center. Service will be held at the Ballard Chapel at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, May 5, 2008. A 7 man detail Military Honors graveside rights will be conducted at South Park Cemetery By local New Mexico Army National Guard with folding of the flag presentation, 21 gun salute and taps. Rev.  Dale Bostic of Faith Tabernacle in Lubbock, TX and Rev.  Michael Bingham of Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ in Carlsbad, NM will officiate.  Sons in law: Jason will deliver a eulogy and Brandon will perform a special song.

                Larry graduated from Roswell High School in May of 1969.  After graduation he attended Eastern New Mexico University of Roswell.  On December 11, 1969 Larry joined the New Mexico Army National Guard.  On July 6, 1971 he married his first wife Donna Kaye Smith; they had two daughters Heather and Stacey.

                While in the National Guard he spent 28 years 8 months and 25 days of his life serving his country. He was a SERGEANT FIRST CLASS; On September 1, 1998 he received his Honorable Discharge from MSG Joe Apodaca. He immediately went to work as a civilian for the New Mexico Military Institute as a Supply Technician. He retired from there after he was diagnosed with extensive stage 4 lung cancer metastasized to brain January 12, 2007.

                In April 2002 he met his “soul-mate,” Sharon Ann (Teal) Todd. On December 9, 2004 they were married in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She has been his closest companion through it all, his strength and encouragement; keeping a positive attitude to keep on keeping on until the very end. They loved each other unconditionally, even through cancer.

                Larry is survived by his mother: Betty Jean Berneice Cooper Murray of Roswell; his wife Sharon Ann Murray of the family home; his daughters: Heather Laine (Murray) Wagner and husband Jason Larry of Roswell, Stacey Lynn (Murray)Yazzie and husband Brandon Michael of Albuquerque, NM; his brother: Donald Gene Murray and wife Willie Mae (Bullock) of Big Spring, TX; sister in law: Barbie Kaye(Murray) Ross of Artesia, NM; his four grandchildren: Rachel Nicole Wagner, Leah Brooke Wagner, Nehemiah Brandon Yazzie and Zechariah Brandon Yazzie; his nieces and nephews: Nanci Evans, of Lake Arthur, NM, Misty Dawn (Murray) Rodgers and husband Jimmie of Big Spring, TX, Bobby Chad Murray of Artesia, NM; great nephews and nieces: Toby Wayne Rodgers of Big Spring, TX, Santana Marina Allyssa Murray of Lake Arthur, NM, Denton Lee Murray of Lake Arthur, NM and Caleb Chad Murray of Artesia, NM

                He is preceded in death by his father: Bernard Murray on September 10, 1997, his brother Elmer Lee Murray on July 4, 1987 and his nephew Jon Michael Brandon Murray on February 1, 2008.

 Pallbearers will be LTC Poncho Maples, CW4 Keith Roberts, SSG Charles Waldrop, SFC Joe Ponce, SFC Felix Ponce, SFC David Cook, SFC Charles Montgomery and USDI-BLM Rangeland Management Specialist Russell Fox. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jason Wagner, Brandon Yazzie, Ronald Scacci, Johnny Paschall, Butch Colbert and Billy Prince.

                There will be a reception for family and friends provided by 1st UPC Church after the graveside service at his childhood family home, 1108 W. Mathews St.