John J. “Jack” Murray

John J. “Jack” Murray died peacefully at home on February 7 after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was 69 years old.

Born in Sharon Hill, PA and raised in Chestnut Hill, PA, Jack attended LaSalle College High School and received his Baccalaureate degree from LaSalle College. He was commissioned an officer in the US Air Force in 1962 after attending OTS at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas.

While in the Air Force Jack served as a Launch Control Officer in the 455th Strategic Missile Wing of the Strategic Air Command, employing the Minuteman ICBM, based at Minot AFB, North Dakota. At the same time he was serving as a missile combat crew member, he earned his Master of Science Degree in Industrial Management from the University of North Dakota.

After achieving the rank of Captain, Jack was honorably discharged in 1970 when he entered the business world, spending 16 years in executive positions with companies in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Manhattan. He formed his own management consulting firm in 1986 and grew that business until retiring in 1995.

Jack then settled in the Hughesville area with his wife, Suzanne, who survives him. He became very active in the local community, volunteering his time and talents to the Lycoming County Conservation District, the Lycoming Woodland Owners’ Association, the Hughesville Sesquicentennial Celebration and the Pennsylvania Forest Stewards, among other activities.

Jack fully enjoyed his retirement. He loved reading, traveling, working in his garden and orchard, and hiking in his woods.

Jack was a man of quality and good character with a very creative sense of humor; he touched many lives. Jack was a wonderful husband, father and friend who will be sorely missed.

Also surviving are a daughter, Margaret Anne Fleming (Annapolis), and sons John Thomas Murray (Schwenksville) and Christopher Thorell Murray (New York) and four grandchildren. His brother Thomas died in 2007.

Visitation will be at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home on Friday, February 13 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Burial will be private. The family will provide flowers and suggests contributions be made in Jack’s memory to the Geisinger Health System Foundation or the Susquehanna Home Care & Hospice (through the Susquehanna Health Foundation).