Jack Murray obituary: Jack Murray's Obituary, Dove Topeka
In Memory Of
Jack Allan "Jackson LaRue" Murray
1956 - 2023
In Memory Of
Jack Allan "Jackson LaRue" Murray
1956 - 2023
Jack Allan “I ain’t no wuss” Murray, Harley Davidson enthusiast from infancy, lover of dogs and grandbabies, and stranger to no one, passed away Saturday September 16, 2023 at home at the age of 67. He was surrounded by loved ones and passed peacefully after a long-fought illness. Jack was a free spirit who lived life to the fullest. You could trust every experience, no matter how wild and hilariously entertaining, was more truth than not. Witnesses having confirmed many of them such as the notorious spit ball fights in Applebee’s with his Mom, whom he adored and shared riotous behaviors, the “accidental” celebrity Hulk Hogan appearances, partying with the band and playing pool with the best to name a few. Known to some as Jackson LaRue, he loved to make people laugh but more importantly he loved people. His love and passion for his partner Tina, his children, grandchildren and many friends are evident in all the pictures taken of him. Jack loved all things cars, Nascar, his 68 Cutlass, his Mustang and all others antique. Self-proclaimed food aficionado, Jack could whip up most anything in the kitchen, never quite turning out the same dish twice and always leaving guests asking for more. “Big Red” was the embodiment of "good food, good friends, love of family, a good ride and a cold beer are all one needed to be truly content in this life." Most recently, he was happiest sitting on the porch, holding hands with Tina, drinking coffee with his dog Buster and waving at everyone who drove by. And anyone who met Big Jack, knew they were to “stay groovy” until he saw them again. To watch this gentle giant reach the end of his days and hear him utter, "I wouldn’t change a thing...” truly speaks to the genuineness of his heart. In Jack’s words, at his birthday party one week before his passing; “I love you all, I think about you every day. Thank you for being a part of my life. It means everything to me.”
He was born September 9, 1956, in Leavenworth, Kansas, son of Jack and Betty (Allen) Murray. Jack spent most of his youth in Mosby Missouri, near Excelsior Springs. He graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1974 and attended Maple Woods College / University.
Jack was the literal Jack of all trades. In his youth he worked in ranching and at the Ford Plant in Clay Como, Missouri. He worked in publishing at Jostens and as a pressman at the Kansas City Star for many years, eventually working in construction for many years. There was not a task he wasn’t willing to try.
Jack married Debra Abbott in 1982. To this union two sons were born. They later divorced. Jack met the love of his life, Tina Graf-Bahret, in 2002. She survives, along with his children, son Blake Allan Murray (Katie Cockerham-Murray) of Kearney, MO and his children Jaxon, Josie and Ravenna Murray, and son Stephen Kyle Murray (Hannah McGaugh-Murray) of Kearney, MO and his children Liliana, Alexandria, McKynleigh, and Lincoln Murray; his two bonus daughters through Debra, Stacey Abbott of Cameron, MO and her children Zach Meroney and his son Ezra Meroney, Ryan (Amy) Meroney and his children Terrance Pierce and Andre Meroney, and the life partner of the late Caleb Meroney Roni Ford and his children Tairrrence and Lunari Meroney; and Jennifer Vahldick (Matt) of Smithville, MO and her children Connelly White, Lauren, Brody, Zane and Shiloh Vahldick; three bonus daughters through Tina, Elizabeth Bahret-Davis of Rossville, KS and her children Jason Davis (Tori Whalen), Maurisa and Will Koch, and Jennifer Bahret-Kaberline of Onaga, KS and her children Tommy (Cheyenne), Caidryn, Brett, Cahlan, and Grayson Kaberline, and Aimee Bahret-Linsey of Wamego, KS and her children Brooke and Logan Linsey; and his siblings, Mike Murray (Nancy McKee Murray) of Lafayette, CO, Chris Murray of Excelsior Springs, MO, and Denise Murray-Royer of Lathrop, MO; a special niece Andrea Murray; along with many other nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Deann Murray; and a grandson, Caleb Meroney.
Jack was cremated. A celebration of life will be held on October 14th, 2023 at 2:00 PM at American Legion Post 225, 10114 Old Town Trail in Ozawkie, Kansas.
Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.
To share a memory of Jack or leave a special message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.
He was born September 9, 1956, in Leavenworth, Kansas, son of Jack and Betty (Allen) Murray. Jack spent most of his youth in Mosby Missouri, near Excelsior Springs. He graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1974 and attended Maple Woods College / University.
Jack was the literal Jack of all trades. In his youth he worked in ranching and at the Ford Plant in Clay Como, Missouri. He worked in publishing at Jostens and as a pressman at the Kansas City Star for many years, eventually working in construction for many years. There was not a task he wasn’t willing to try.
Jack married Debra Abbott in 1982. To this union two sons were born. They later divorced. Jack met the love of his life, Tina Graf-Bahret, in 2002. She survives, along with his children, son Blake Allan Murray (Katie Cockerham-Murray) of Kearney, MO and his children Jaxon, Josie and Ravenna Murray, and son Stephen Kyle Murray (Hannah McGaugh-Murray) of Kearney, MO and his children Liliana, Alexandria, McKynleigh, and Lincoln Murray; his two bonus daughters through Debra, Stacey Abbott of Cameron, MO and her children Zach Meroney and his son Ezra Meroney, Ryan (Amy) Meroney and his children Terrance Pierce and Andre Meroney, and the life partner of the late Caleb Meroney Roni Ford and his children Tairrrence and Lunari Meroney; and Jennifer Vahldick (Matt) of Smithville, MO and her children Connelly White, Lauren, Brody, Zane and Shiloh Vahldick; three bonus daughters through Tina, Elizabeth Bahret-Davis of Rossville, KS and her children Jason Davis (Tori Whalen), Maurisa and Will Koch, and Jennifer Bahret-Kaberline of Onaga, KS and her children Tommy (Cheyenne), Caidryn, Brett, Cahlan, and Grayson Kaberline, and Aimee Bahret-Linsey of Wamego, KS and her children Brooke and Logan Linsey; and his siblings, Mike Murray (Nancy McKee Murray) of Lafayette, CO, Chris Murray of Excelsior Springs, MO, and Denise Murray-Royer of Lathrop, MO; a special niece Andrea Murray; along with many other nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Deann Murray; and a grandson, Caleb Meroney.
Jack was cremated. A celebration of life will be held on October 14th, 2023 at 2:00 PM at American Legion Post 225, 10114 Old Town Trail in Ozawkie, Kansas.
Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.
To share a memory of Jack or leave a special message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.
Jack Allan “I ain’t no wuss” Murray, Harley Davidson enthusiast from infancy, lover of dogs and grandbabies, and stranger to no one, passed away Saturday September 16, 2023 at home at the age of 67. He was surrounded by loved ones and passed peacefully after a long-fought illness. Jack was a free spirit who lived life to the fullest. You could trust every experience, no matter how wild and hilariously entertaining, was more truth than not. Witnesses having confirmed many of them such as the notorious spit ball fights in Applebee’s with his Mom, whom he adored and shared riotous behaviors, the “accidental” celebrity Hulk Hogan appearances, partying with the band and playing pool with the best to name a few. Known to some as Jackson LaRue, he loved to make people laugh but more importantly he loved people. His love and passion for his partner Tina, his children, grandchildren and many friends are evident in all the pictures taken of him. Jack loved all things cars, Nascar, his 68 Cutlass, his Mustang and all others antique. Self-proclaimed food aficionado, Jack could whip up most anything in the kitchen, never quite turning out the same dish twice and always leaving guests asking for more. “Big Red” was the embodiment of "good food, good friends, love of family, a good ride and a cold beer are all one needed to be truly content in this life." Most recently, he was happiest sitting on the porch, holding hands with Tina, drinking coffee with his dog Buster and waving at everyone who drove by. And anyone who met Big Jack, knew they were to “stay groovy” until he saw them again. To watch this gentle giant reach the end of his days and hear him utter, "I wouldn’t change a thing...” truly speaks to the genuineness of his heart. In Jack’s words, at his birthday party one week before his passing; “I love you all, I think about you every day. Thank you for being a part of my life. It means everything to me.”
He was born September 9, 1956, in Leavenworth, Kansas, son of Jack and Betty (Allen) Murray. Jack spent most of his youth in Mosby Missouri, near Excelsior Springs. He graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1974 and attended Maple Woods College / University.
Jack was the literal Jack of all trades. In his youth he worked in ranching and at the Ford Plant in Clay Como, Missouri. He worked in publishing at Jostens and as a pressman at the Kansas City Star for many years, eventually working in construction for many years. There was not a task he wasn’t willing to try.
Jack married Debra Abbott in 1982. To this union two sons were born. They later divorced. Jack met the love of his life, Tina Graf-Bahret, in 2002. She survives, along with his children, son Blake Allan Murray (Katie Cockerham-Murray) of Kearney, MO and his children Jaxon, Josie and Ravenna Murray, and son Stephen Kyle Murray (Hannah McGaugh-Murray) of Kearney, MO and his children Liliana, Alexandria, McKynleigh, and Lincoln Murray; his two bonus daughters through Debra, Stacey Abbott of Cameron, MO and her children Zach Meroney and his son Ezra Meroney, Ryan (Amy) Meroney and his children Terrance Pierce and Andre Meroney, and the life partner of the late Caleb Meroney Roni Ford and his children Tairrrence and Lunari Meroney; and Jennifer Vahldick (Matt) of Smithville, MO and her children Connelly White, Lauren, Brody, Zane and Shiloh Vahldick; three bonus daughters through Tina, Elizabeth Bahret-Davis of Rossville, KS and her children Jason Davis (Tori Whalen), Maurisa and Will Koch, and Jennifer Bahret-Kaberline of Onaga, KS and her children Tommy (Cheyenne), Caidryn, Brett, Cahlan, and Grayson Kaberline, and Aimee Bahret-Linsey of Wamego, KS and her children Brooke and Logan Linsey; and his siblings, Mike Murray (Nancy McKee Murray) of Lafayette, CO, Chris Murray of Excelsior Springs, MO, and Denise Murray-Royer of Lathrop, MO; a special niece Andrea Murray; along with many other nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Deann Murray; and a grandson, Caleb Meroney.
Jack was cremated. A celebration of life will be held on October 14th, 2023 at 2:00 PM at American Legion Post 225, 10114 Old Town Trail in Ozawkie, Kansas.
Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.
To share a memory of Jack or leave a special message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.
He was born September 9, 1956, in Leavenworth, Kansas, son of Jack and Betty (Allen) Murray. Jack spent most of his youth in Mosby Missouri, near Excelsior Springs. He graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1974 and attended Maple Woods College / University.
Jack was the literal Jack of all trades. In his youth he worked in ranching and at the Ford Plant in Clay Como, Missouri. He worked in publishing at Jostens and as a pressman at the Kansas City Star for many years, eventually working in construction for many years. There was not a task he wasn’t willing to try.
Jack married Debra Abbott in 1982. To this union two sons were born. They later divorced. Jack met the love of his life, Tina Graf-Bahret, in 2002. She survives, along with his children, son Blake Allan Murray (Katie Cockerham-Murray) of Kearney, MO and his children Jaxon, Josie and Ravenna Murray, and son Stephen Kyle Murray (Hannah McGaugh-Murray) of Kearney, MO and his children Liliana, Alexandria, McKynleigh, and Lincoln Murray; his two bonus daughters through Debra, Stacey Abbott of Cameron, MO and her children Zach Meroney and his son Ezra Meroney, Ryan (Amy) Meroney and his children Terrance Pierce and Andre Meroney, and the life partner of the late Caleb Meroney Roni Ford and his children Tairrrence and Lunari Meroney; and Jennifer Vahldick (Matt) of Smithville, MO and her children Connelly White, Lauren, Brody, Zane and Shiloh Vahldick; three bonus daughters through Tina, Elizabeth Bahret-Davis of Rossville, KS and her children Jason Davis (Tori Whalen), Maurisa and Will Koch, and Jennifer Bahret-Kaberline of Onaga, KS and her children Tommy (Cheyenne), Caidryn, Brett, Cahlan, and Grayson Kaberline, and Aimee Bahret-Linsey of Wamego, KS and her children Brooke and Logan Linsey; and his siblings, Mike Murray (Nancy McKee Murray) of Lafayette, CO, Chris Murray of Excelsior Springs, MO, and Denise Murray-Royer of Lathrop, MO; a special niece Andrea Murray; along with many other nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Deann Murray; and a grandson, Caleb Meroney.
Jack was cremated. A celebration of life will be held on October 14th, 2023 at 2:00 PM at American Legion Post 225, 10114 Old Town Trail in Ozawkie, Kansas.
Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.
To share a memory of Jack or leave a special message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.
Services & Gatherings
Celebration of Life
Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 2:00pm
American Legion Post 225, 10114 Old Town Trail in Ozawkie, Kansas
Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family
Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family