Thomas G. Murray, Jr.

Thomas Galbraith Murray

July 9, 1929 – April 12, 2020

It is with great sadness that the family of Thomas Galbraith Murray (Tom) announce his passing after being hospitalized with COVID-19.  Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and uncle.

Tom was born to Frances Reichmann Murray and Thomas Galbraith Murray (Sr.) on July 9, 1929 in Verona, NJ.  He was the first of two children in the family followed by his brother Donald in 1933.  Tom’s father passed away from a sudden illness when he was 6.  He was raised by his mother and beloved grandmother, Oma.  Tom was proud of his Scottish ancestry and the shared stories of his family’s immigration to the U.S. from Scotland.

Tom graduated from Verona High School where he had met the love of his life, Joanie.  They married while Tom attended Pace University before going into the U.S. Army.  Stationed in Newport News, VA., he was honorably discharged after Joan had given birth to their first-born daughter, Lynn.  Two children followed – son Thomas and another daughter, Peggy. 

After returning to civilian life Tom worked for several years for retailer Robert Hall. Tom joined Somerset Importers, a liquor importer in NY, and stayed with Somerset for some 28 years as VP of Sales. Job transfer opportunities took the family to many places throughout the US.  Tom and Joan also traveled internationally for Tom’s job which they both enjoyed and cherished those fun times together. 

After leaving Somerset, Tom and Joan moved to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands a destination they had fallen in love with on a vacation.  There he filled his passion for flying by working for Aero Virgin Islands flying commercial flights and charters between St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and other islands throughout the region.  He also taught local students to fly as an instructor with the local flight school.  He loved teaching his young students how to fly and became invested in many of their lives outside the cockpit.  He participated in many career days at the local schools, donning his uniform and talking to students about piloting.  In addition to Aero Virgin Islands, he managed a duty-free liquor store that catered to the cruise ships.  Joanie worked with him there from time to time and they enjoyed meeting people and cruise ship crew from all over the world.  Tom and Joan, also an accomplished pilot, enjoyed their time flying together, spending time on the beach, reading, eating at island restaurants, spending time with friends, playing tour guides for their many visitors and living their best island life.  After experiencing the category 4 Hurricane Louis in 1995 (the third they had been through) which caused extensive damage to their beautiful island home, Tom and Joan decided to relocate to Colorado in 1996 where their daughter Peggy lived.

Tom and Joan enjoyed gardening in Colorado and had the most beautiful gardens in their backyard.  Their shared love of jazz and Big Bands led them to join the Denver Jazz Club where they enjoyed listening and dancing to live music.  Both avid football fans, fall Sunday’s were spent watching her beloved Dallas Cowboys and Tom converting himself to a Denver Bronco fan. 

Tom was predeceased by his beloved Joanie in 2012, his mother, father, brother Don and sister-in-law Suzanne. He is survived by daughters Lynn (Joe) Philippi, Peggy (Paul) Campbell and son Thomas in addition to 8 grandchildren and 2 “bonus” grandchildren (Jay, Nathan, Margaret, Christopher, Thomas, Wallace, Christina, James, David and Michael) and 14 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

At this time the continued restrictions due to the COVID virus prevent a funeral or service gathering.  The family will host a service and celebration of Tom’s life later this summer.  He remains will, at that time, be laid to rest at Fort Logan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry Street #700, Denver, CO 80246 in honor of Tom’s memory.