Clifford Joy Murray

Clifford Joy Murray, age 87, passed away on Friday, March 12, at Carrus Hospital in Sherman, TX.

He was born in Gainesville, TX, on December 12, 1933, to Rodger Edgar Murray and Roxie Mae (McKnight) Murray.

On July 6, 1956, Clifford married Carolyn Kay Kizzar. Clifford was a proud resident of Collinsville, TX since 1962.

Clifford served in the Air Force and later spent time working at Perrin Field, National Supply, as a school bus driver for Whitesboro ISD, and landscaper for Collinsville cemeteries.  He took great pride and care in everything he did, was an honest and hard worker, and thoroughly enjoyed every opportunity to learn something new.
A beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, Clifford will always be remembered as someone devoted to his family and who enjoyed the most simple things in life.  He loved gardening, landscaping, and being outdoors, working on crossword puzzles, spending time with his dogs, getting fish from Long John Silver’s, and listening to country music, especially his longtime favorite, Johnny Cash. Any visit to the Murray household would be full of laughter, watching reruns of Hee-Haw, and the most fun board games.  Clifford was well known for his sharp, encyclopedic memory and had a fondness for reminiscing upon old times.  He loved attending family reunions and faithfully attended each one until his declining health interfered.  Clifford often said, “If you have your good health, you have everything you need.”   The final two years of his life were spent as a resident in the excellent care of Homestead Nursing & Rehab in Collinsville.  His family and friends will miss him forever, but are comforted to know he is free of pain and in Heaven now.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Clyde “Bob” Murray, Howard Murray, Jimmy Murray, Norman Murray, Doyle Murray, Rodger Murray, Alene Trani, Grace Vandagriff, Essie Stewart, and Reba Murray.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Carolyn Murray, his daughter Becky Esmaili-Doki (Ali); and grandchildren Bryan Esmaili-Doki, Elly Antony (Ashish), Sheila Esmaili-Doki, and Cameron Esmaili-Doki; his sisters Mavis Ogle, Yevonne Russell (Jerry), Beverly Norvell, several nieces and nephews, and cherished great-grandchildren.

Graveside services for Clifford will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville, TX, on Tuesday, March 16th, at 2:00 pm.