Thomas Neal McMurray

Thomas Neal McMurray died in Tacoma on Dec. 11. Tom was born in Yakima on Aug. 2, 1930, to Noral and Irene McMurray.

He was raised by his mother and uncles in the small wheat farming community of Ritzville, where he developed a strong work ethic and a healthy interest in sports and the outdoors.

From 1950-53, he proudly served his country as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division, United States Army, reaching the rank of First Sergeant.

Later he attended Washington State University. In 1956, he left to begin a long career as an employee of Montgomery Ward, starting as a shoe salesman in S...