Ronald Murray

Biography

Ronald C. Murray, 41, of West Liberty, Ohio, passed away at 1:32 A.M. Sunday, April 3, 2011 at The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. A native of Logan County, Mr. Murray was born June 14, 1969, the son of Ronald L. and Christine H. (Lantz) Murray.

On July 18, 1987, he married his loving wife, Jean L. Shirk in the Murray home in Bellefontaine, and she survives along with a daughter, Elaine Collette Murray and his son, Phillip “Tylor” Roy Murray; a grandson, Jaxson Tylor Lantz Horne. Other survivors include his mother, Christine H. Lantz Murray; his father, Ronald L. Murray and step-mother, Barb Harpest Murray; two sisters, Kimberlee R. Murray Fisher and Mary E. Murray; a step brother, David J. Richwine; aunts, Charlene Lantz Forsythe and Cathy Lantz German and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a niece, Alicia Lynn Murray; a nephew, Justin Corey Lamson and grandparents, Phillip and Ruth Lantz and Roy “Vere” and Agnes Murray.

Ron was a graduate of Benjamin Logan High School in 1987, and was currently serving the community of West Liberty as their Police Chief and had been an officer there since 1995. He was a member of the West Liberty Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder.

He was active with the Logan County 4-H program where he was an advisor for twenty three years. He also was active with the Benjamin Logan FFA Boosters, was a member of the Ohio Poultry Association, the Logan County Jr. Fair Poultry Committee for twenty five years, the Logan County Fair Board, the Ohio Association of Chief’s of Police and the International Police Chief’s Association.

Ron was raised a Master Mason at Mad River Masonic Lodge #161 and later transferred to Indian Lake Lodge #722 Free and Accepted Masons, where he currently held the office of Junior Steward. He was a member of the Grand Council Royal & Select Masons of Ohio; Logan Council #85 Super Excellent Master; Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Ohio Lafayette Chapter #60, Bellefontaine Commandery #61 Knights Templar; Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine Antioch Temple, Dayton, Ohio, where he was currently the First Ceremonial Master; Logan County Shrine Club, where he was the current President; the Antioch Shrine Funster Clown Unit; Champaign County Shrine Club; and a member of the International Shrine Clown Association and the Great Lakes Shrine Clown Unit Association. He was also recently accepted into the Royal Order of Jesters Court #10 Dayton, Ohio.

He took pride in everything he did. Ron came from a large family who he cared about and respected greatly. He was proud to be a part of the Holycross, Lantz, Murray and Bell families.

Rev. Rob Kilgore will conduct the funeral service at 3:00 P.M. Friday, April 8, 2011, at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, where calling hours will be Thursday, April 7, 2011, from 2 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M. with a Masonic service being held at 8 P.M. Interment will follow the funeral service at the Fairview Cemetery in Quincy, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Shriner’s Hospital for Children 3329 Burnet Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45229-3095 or Donate Life America 701 East Byrd St. 16th Floor Richmond, VA 23219