T. L. "Lee" Murray

T. L. “Lee” Murray, 88, of Pampa, went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 12, 2020 in Pampa.

Services will be 10:00 AM Monday, June 15, 2020 at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Rev. Jimmye Cole, retired Nazarene minister and Rev. Wesley Vernatter, Lee’s son-in-law, officiating.  Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.  The service will be live streamed at https://www.carmichael-whatley.com/page/live-streaming. 

Lee was born November 3, 1931 in Wheeler County, Texas to Frank and Leona Murray.  He began to drive a school bus at age 15 for the Briscoe school district. Lee graduated from Briscoe High School in 1951, and soon after graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy, where he was a part of the Navy Seabees, serving for 4 years during the Korean Conflict.  On December 31, 1951, he married Patsy Wheeler in Canadian, and they have celebrated their 66^th  anniversary.  In 1955, they moved to Pampa and began their family of 4 children.  He worked as a construction supervisor at Cabot Corporation for 33 years before retiring in 1988.  Lee has been involved in Gideon ministry since 1974 and has been a longtime faithful member of Briarwood Church.

Lee was very talented with his hands, and he enjoyed woodworking, building clocks, and was an accomplished mechanic.  He loved to travel the United States, and he has made it to all 48 states in the continental US.  When he was able, he would take his family and enjoy time at Cabot Ranch.  Lee also spent time fishing, he was an avid reader, and he spent many hours doing jigsaw puzzles.  Lee had a kind smile and was a man’s man, a true gentleman.  Baking pies and making fruit salads seemed to be Lee’s specialties after his retirement. Being Papa Lee to his grandchildren and great grandchildren was a great joy for him and he loved them dearly.   

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lottie Murray Thompson; and a brother, Thorban Murray.

Survivors include his wife, Pat of the home; a daughter, Penney Vernatter and husband Wesley of Pampa; 3 sons, Harold Murray and wife Debbie of Pampa, Dirk Murray of Junction, and Joe Murray and wife Sherri of Pampa; 12 grandchildren, Joshua Vernatter and wife Bella of Westown, NY, Daniel Vernatter and wife April of Scott AFB, Angela Bentley and husband Heath of Pampa, Matthew Murray and wife Kendall of Mansfield, Melody Twombley and husband Chase of San Angelo, Tera Lavrenz and husband Chris of Pampa, Mark Murray and wife Erin of Lubbock, Hannah Shultz and husband Adam of Vienna, WV, Andrew Vernatter and wife Alexis of Vienna, WV, Jonathan Murray of Dallas, Zach Murray and wife Amy of Pampa, and Peter Vernatter and wife Darla of Vienna, WV;  and 25 great grandchildren.

Memorials can be sent to Gideons International, P. O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.