Montpelier News Examiner July 24, 2006

LIBERTY, Idaho -- Chad David McMurray, 59, passed away on Friday, July 21, 2006, surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born August 17, 1946, in Montpelier, Idaho to George Warren and Esther Pearl Skinner McMurray. He was the third oldest of their 10 children. He was raised in Liberty, Idaho and attended school at Emerson Elementary and Fielding High School. He received his high school diploma from the State of Alaska, Department of Education.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force where he specialized in turboprop aircraft maintenance and was a member of the Military Air Transport Service. After his honorable military discharge, he returned to the lower 48 states where he was employed by Becker, Texas Gulf, and was finishing his 25th year at Monsanto, looking forward to his retirement at the end of this year.

Chad was not one to be alone, and so asked his high school friend, Colleen Sorenson, to marry him. She agreed on his second attempt, and they married in Montpelier own November 29, 1969. Together for 36 years, they have raised a family , and weathered the ups and downs of life.

Chad was a man of few words but many actions. He was devoted to his family and enjoyed helping his neighbors. It seems he was everyone's best friend. He had a strong work ethic and could often be found in the fields or the mountains putting up hay or getting a load of wood. He took great pride in his home and whatever his latest project was.

He loved to work and play, and sometimes he did a little too much of both. Chad remained a child at heart and was always looking forward to his next toy.

From childhood to his passing, if it had an engine, he'd be working on it or riding it. He lived to go camping and always looked forward to hunting season. He enjoyed picking huckleberries and chokecherries and just spending time in the mountains. the the loved. He was happiest when he was sharing his hobbies with his family. He had a tender spot for animals and was always taking in a "pet" to care for. We're all going to miss him on his four-wheeler with his best dog "Pooper" riding behind.

Chad had a great sense of humor and loved to be a part of any prank. A sweet homemade treat could get him to do just about anything. To some he may have seemed a bit of a mystery, but to those who knew and loved him, we know it was just his quiet strength. He raised his family with integrity and love, and his lessons of how to live a good and honest life will never be lost... he was a dying breed.

Chad is survived by his wife, Colleen; two daughters, Cathie Lynn (Shane) Rasmussen and Cheri Jane McMurray; on son, Kevin Chad McMurray; his mother, Esther Pearl McMurray; three brothers, Roy Warren (Beth), Reed Kay, and Kerry Dee (Doreen); five sisters, Elaine (Ralph) Galloway, Marva (Jim) Miller, Marsha (Dennis) Hansen, Verna (Marty) Peterson, and Jennilyn (Fred) Guthrie; three grandsons, Kyler Colton, Kerry Shane, and Ryder Cordell Rasmussen; and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services are scheduled on Thursday, July 27, at 11 a.m. in the Liberty Ward Chapel. Friends may visit with family at Matthews Mortuary in Montpelier on Wednesday evening from 7 until 9 p.m. and at the church in Liberty on Thursday morning from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Liberty Cemetery where military rites will be performed.