Franklin Charles Murray

Franklin Charles Murray died Thursday, July 14, 2022, at his home. He was born on September 19, 1936, in Newberry, Michigan, son of Frank and Elsie (Lutz) Murray.

He joined the US Navy on September 15, 1954 and served on the U.S.S. Jason. He was honorably discharged on April 26, 1957.

Frank was a heavy equipment operator with Holloway Construction for 30 years before retiring. He was a member of the Operators Union, Local 324 for 59 years.

Frank's hobbies included snowmobiling. For over 25 years, he and a close group of friends would snowmobile from Cadillac, Michigan all the way to Hurley, Wisconsin and back in just over a week. He also liked to go to the local casinos and play the slot machines. He knew his limits, so it was all for fun and lunch was always part of the adventure. He loved to work in his yard. To this day, he has one of the nicest looking landscapes you'll see anywhere. After his retirement, he always found plenty of things to keep him busy. From clearing brush and weeds from around billboards to helping build retaining walls. Later, when the kids started the nursery, he would be watering the new trees, keeping the grass mowed, and a hundred other things that needed to be done.

His primary love though was his wife, Joan. They met in high school and were inseparable from the time they met. They were married for almost 66 years.

He liked to sit on his front porch, waving at everyone who drove by and chatting with anyone who came over. Everyone in the neighborhood knew Frank. He loved telling jokes, so when anyone wanted a good laugh, they just had to come and see Frank.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Dale Murray, Bertha Williams, and Agnes Streu. On August 26, 1956, Frank married the former Joan R. Simmons, who survives. Also surviving are their children, Ken (Marie) Murray, Pam (Bill) Baker, and Mark (Paty Sue) Murray; Grandchildren Amanda (Kevin) Coors, Michelle Winter, Michael (Jamie) Morrison, Daniel Murray, and Jacki (Dominic) Braccio: several great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 411 E. Centre Ave, Portage, MI 49002 where Funeral Services will begin at 12:30 p.m. A committal service with military honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. To those wishing to attend, be in the cemetery assembly area by 1:45 p.m. Afterward, we will gather at Ken & Marie's house, 5132 S. 29th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49048 for food, beer, & laughter. To view Franklin's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com