Randolph Hassett Murray 85 was taken home to eternity on May 11, 2012. He was born December 13, 1926 of Alfred Henry Murray Jr. and Harriet (Fouche) Murray near Chicago, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and three older sisters Iris Peterson, Lillian Hawken, Marian Ewing and one older brother, Alfred Henry Murray III. Randolph (Randy) is survived by his wife Margaret Marie (Miller) and sons Alfred IV, Paul and Wayne (Adrienne) along with five grandkids and four great grandkids.
Randy moved from Illinois with his parents at an early age to Monroe, Washington. Eventually, the family moved to the University District in Seattle, where Randy attended John Marshall Jr. High and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1945. Randy joined the war effort in 1945 serving with the Army in the European theater for two years. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1947 returning to Seattle to manage a filling station at a local Ford dealer.
He met Margaret Miller in 1948 at a North End Social Club (NESCO) dance in the U-District while attending classes at the University of Washington. They were married May 6, 1950 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Seattle. They honeymooned by visiting Chicago and Phoenix. The family eventually settled in the North End of Seattle in 1955 when Randy began working and eventually retiring from The Boeing Company. Randy and Margaret moved to Anacortes in October of 2011 to be near family.
Randy enjoyed collecting, restoring, and driving Model T’s for over 40 years and had affiliations with many local automobile clubs. He also had a great affinity for Dixieland Jazz and dancing to the happy music with Margaret, his bride of 62 years. He will be missed by family, and the friends he has made along his journey of faith. Rosary Vigil will begin at 7pm on Wednesday May 16th followed by Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday May 17th at 11am St. Mary Catholic Church, 4001 St. Mary Drive; Anacortes, WA 98221. Internment will be at Grandview Cemetery on Friday May 18th in Anacortes. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to: Island Hospital Home Health Services, 1211 24th St. Anacortes, WA 98221
I first met Randy Murray in about 1973 or 74. The Puget Sound Chapter had cars on display down at Westlake Mall right under the Monorail in Seattle. I was a wide-eyed kid of about 13, and had taken the bus by myself from West Seattle (1/2 hour+ bus ride) to see the cars.
There were a number of cars there, but I saw this really pretty 1915 touring car... just one of the cars of my dreams... Sitting in the car with his knees folded up under his chin was this man wearing a derby hat. I struck up a conversation with him and he showed his car a bit. His 6'+ ?" frame was that of a contortionist as he got out of the car. He wasn't an overly friendly guy to a young teenager, but he was kind and polite and answered all the questions I had at the time. He was the first member of the Puget Sound Chapter that I ever met. It wasn't until a few years later until I dragged my basketcase 1919 home, and a few year later, after I turned 16, that I joined the Puget Sound Chapter MTFCA and re-introduced myself to Randy.
He was a great guy and a backbone of the club for all the years I was active there. Maggie and all their boys were always active and each of them had different Model T talents.
I saw Wayne at the Puyallup swap meet and I could tell the end was near for Randy.
Our prayers go out to the Murray Family.
Keith Townsend