Melvin Charles Murray

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Melvin ‘Mel’ Charles Murray who went to be with the Lord on September 30, 2024 at the age of 89. Mel was born on January 5, 1935 in Keaukaha Hilo Hawaii being the fifth of six children born to Charles and Lucy Murray. As the locals say to this day, he was the smart and good looking one. Mel was a 1952 graduate of the Hilo High School Blue and Gold and later as a proud Beaver, received an engineering degree from Oregon State University in 1956.

After a stint in the US Army, Mel met the first love of his life and beloved wife Angelina Villarreal Murray of 52 years, ending with Angie’s passing in 2013. Mel was known for his quick wit, generous personality and easy kind smile. Mel’s hobbies were many but eating and napping were his favorites. For those who knew him at all, you knew he loved every meal and usually had a nap soon thereafter! Mel and Angie raised three children in Orange County CA before retiring and moving to Dripping Springs TX after a long career in Aerospace Engineering.

Mel met the second love of his life, Annette Chelette Murray, and married her in 2014, spending nine glorious years traveling and laughing together before Annette’s passing in November 2023. Mel and Annette were devout Christ followers and active members of Life Family Church where they made so many friends and made us all feel like family.

Mel worked as an Aerospace Engineer for Rockwell International and before that other aviation firms where he was known as a great engineer and an even better engineering manager with his kind gentle approach and attention to detail. Mel received many awards in his chosen profession and was admired by his peers. Perhaps most telling about Mel’s fun loving demeanor and rapport with his fellow engineers is that the award he hangs highest in his home office to this day reads: This 1988 certificate of achievement award goes to Mel Murray who sat through the 14 point quality philosophy training and stayed awake most of the time. As you know Mel was a world class napper and could fall asleep anywhere at any time! Mel retired from the Aerospace industry in 1994 culminating in one of the biggest, most epic retirement parties to this day!

Preceded in joining the Lord: mother and father, Charlie and Lucy Murray, his brother Jim Murray and his sisters June Archer and Margie Sumner. Survived by his daughter Jill Keith and his son-in-law David Keith. His son Bradley Murray and his daughter-in-law Janis Murray and his daughter Jana Valiton and his son-in-law Mike Valiton. Mel has three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to make donations to Compassion International in Mel‘s name at www.compassion.com or to Life Austin church. The celebration of life service is being held at Life Austin Church Chapel in Austin Texas on Monday, October 7 at 10:30 AM .