Warren S. Murray, Sr.

Warren S. Murray, Sr., 83, of North Pitcher, NY, passed away on Monday, October 22, 2012, at the Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, following an extended illness.

Mr. Murray was born in the Bronx, NY on November 17, 1928, a son of the late George and Ella Muller Murray.  A longtime resident of N. Pitcher, he was a member of the First Baptist Church of South Otselic.  He was a veteran of WWII, having proudly served in the U.S. Air Force.  Prior to his retirement, he drove school bus for Otselic Valley Central School and was also employed as a mechanic for Opportunities for Chenango, Inc. for several years.  In his spare time, he volunteered as a carpenter for the Beaver Meadow Christian Church, as well as several other local churches.  Mr. Murray was a devoted father and grandfather who loved gardening, watching the birds, and being with nature.  He also did phenomenal needle-work and counted cross-stitch and made several keepsakes for his family.

He is survived by his children, Steven (Mary) Murray of Newnan, GA, Dennis Murray of Louisville, KY, Susan (Raymond) Wood of N. Pitcher, Lori Murray of Norfolk, David (Patricia) Murray of Falmouth, KY, and Belinda Allen of Lewiston, ME.  He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Wendy Mullen of N. Pitcher, Stephanie Mechayne of Utica, Lisa Garner of Newnan, GA , Matthew Harmon of Hope Mills, NC, Jessica Stone Wood of Norwich, Timothy Wood of Norwich, Tabitha Murray of Dry Ridge, KY, Zachary Murray of Falmouth, KY, Brent Taylor of Falmouth, KY, Bobbie Ferguson of Lexington-Fayette, KY,  and Angela Bunnell of Lewiston ME; his great-grandchildren, Logan, Kendall, and Camden Garner, Trevor Harmon,  Landen, Caden, Ian, and Mallery Stone, Timothy Wood, Jr. and Allison Wood, Brooklyn Stephens; Kadin and Caleb Ferguson, Dalton Taylor and a brother, Paul (Carmen) Murray of Mesa, AZ.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Shelly Murray, on February 28, 2006; a daughter, Marsha Chabot in 2004; and a sister, Adele Patrick.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of South Otselic on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend James Moore officiating.  Burial, with military honors, will be in Valley View Cemetery.  The family will be present to receive friends at the church on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the start of the service at 2:00 p.m.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Murray may be directed to the First Baptist Church of South Otselic, 130 Co. Rd. 13, S. Otselic, NY 13155.