Lt. Col. (Ret) John E. McMurray, Jr.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) John E. McMurray, Jr., 70, of Iowa Park, passed away Thursday, Sept. 30.

A service was held at Wichita Valley Airport on Sunday. Arrangements were under the direction of Owens and Brumley Funeral Home of Burkburnett.

John was born in Columbia, S. C., to John E. McMurray Sr., deceased, and Janet Sauls McMurray. He attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, graduating in 1973, and obtained his Master’s degree from the University of West Florida in 1987. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 25 years of active duty service in the United States Air Force. He was a consummate aviator, obtaining his pilot’s license at age 15, before his driver’s license. He was a flight instructor for more than 50 years, accumulating over 6,000 hours of flight instruction, as well as 5,000 to 6,000 hours instructing in simulators to Air Force pilots. He also accumulated over 2500 flight hours in the Red Baron squadron, flying Stearman biplanes in air shows across the country. In 1974, he married Alison Taylor and they had two sons, Ed and Connor. In 1991, he married Kathleen Zans.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy; sons, Ed McMurray and Connor McMurray; brother, Tom McMurray; and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice.