Patrick Murray, 85, of Carroll passed away Friday September 23rd at the St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll surrounded by his family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Holy Spirit Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Music will be by Kathy Halbur. Casket Bearers will be Jacob Wenck, Levi Wenck, Chris Boggs, Sean Sauvago, Frank Murray, Kent Nulle. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church on Thursday morning where visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carroll Volunteer Fire Department.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Patrick’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born December 28th, 1936 in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, Patrick William Murray was the son of Frank and Myrna (Webster) Murray.
He attended grade school and high school at Sacred Heart School in Pocahontas, Iowa. After graduating high school, he entered the US Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. Pat was pretty handy with a firearm and was awarded the status of “marksman” and acted as a shooting instructor while serving his country. He was honorably discharged in 1957.
After serving his country he moved to Prescott, Arizona to be the head mechanic at his father’s service station. It was there, in Prescott, where he met the love of his life, Sharon Kellerman.
He married Sharon Kellerman on April 28th, 1962 in Prescott, Arizona. Pat and Sharon made their home in Phoenix, Arizona and Pat was employed at Arizona Public Service.
In 1976 he moved his family to Carroll, Iowa and with the help of his sons established the family business, Murray’s Welding & Machine. Pat stood alone in his craft and soon became very popular because of his friendly demeanor and because he so impressed people with his abilities.
Pat was a locomotive steam engine buff and had a collection of books and videos on steam engines plus a model railroad collection he acquired while serving overseas during his stint in the Marines. He was also a big fan of sprint car races and never missed the Knoxville Nationals.
Pat was a fierce card player and especially enjoyed the game of Progressive Rummy, unless of course he was losing to you.
Although he loved his children very much, he was a strict father and always made his children earn what they wanted and never spoiled them in anyway. His children quickly learned that these same rules do not apply to grandchildren as “Papa” could not get enough of his grandchildren and spoiled them every way he knew how.
Survivors include his wife: Sharon Murray of Carroll; his children William Murray of Ottawa, Canada, Fredrick Murray of Carroll, Iowa, Kenneth Murray of Carroll, Iowa and Diana Murray of Coralville, Iowa; 6 grand-children and 3 great grandchildren; as well as two brothers, Larry Murray (Jane) of Camp Verde, Arizona and Mark Murray of Cottonwood, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank & Myrna Murray, one sister Kathleen (Bill) Kates, and brother, Mike (Dorothy) Murray.
