James “Jim” Leland Murray, 94, of Salina, KS, died on April 17, 2025. He was born on August 15, 1930, in Marysville, KS to James Frances Murray and Louise Christine (Godbout) Murray. They moved to Joplin, MO in 1937. Jim had his first job at age 11 selling The Saturday Evening Post and The Ladies Home Journal door to door. He then worked a milk route with a horse drawn wagon. From the age 14 to18 he worked in a drug store doing deliveries and working the soda counter. He also worked for 2 1/2 years delivering potato salad to stores. He was drafted for the Korean War in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army from September 18, 1951 to June 25, 1953.
He was a forward observer in the field artillery and achieved the rank of Corporal. After the war he worked for Vickers Inc. on the machine line in the manufacturing of aircraft landing gear. In 1955 he went to work for the CIT Group. He was transferred to Salina, KS in 1959 as branch manager. In 1970 he became district manager and then in 1983 Jim was transferred to Amarillo, TX and subsequently to Shelbyville, IN in 1988. He retired and moved back to Salina in 1989 and worked at Sears from 1991 to 2016.
He was continually active in the Knights of Columbus starting in 1949. He was a 4th degree Knight, financial secretary for 26 years, and served as Grand Knight in 1973 and 1974 with the Knights of Columbus Council 601, which was his home council for most of his service. He was very active in the local Republican party and local Pro-life groups including support for Birthright of Salina.
Jim was a very generous man. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He loved to dance and he was very good, he frequently attracted an audience. He loved telling stories about the war, tricks he played on his sister Kay and her husband Gene as well as his best friend Tom Costello. He had a great sense of humor, loved to have fun, and was very ornery.
Jim married Rosa Mae Bock, the love of his life, on February 5, 1955 in Joplin, MO. They were married for 61 years until her death on February 23, 2016. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Helen Nelson, Leon Murray, Jack Murray, and Tom Murray; and infant siblings, Gerald and Dorothy.
Jim is survived by 4 sons and 11 daughters, Terry (Sue) Murray of Elizabethtown, PA, Susan (Dave) Baker of Salina, Janie (Randy) Rager of Norwood, MN, Rosa (Rich) Hassen of Plainfield, IL, Jimmy (Darcee) Murray of Salina, Linda (Tim) Main of Salina, Elizabeth (Dave) Morris of Salina, Becky (Mark) Greene of Salina, Richard Murray of Rochester, NY, Caroline (Brandon) Helton of Amarillo, TX, Theresa (Phil) Smith of Salina, Barbara Murray (Robert Lanning), of Sellersburg, IN, Rita (Gordon) LaShell of Salina, Brenda Murray (Shawn Jarvis) of Salina, Tom Murray (Michelle Marley) of Canton, KS; and siblings, Kathleen Travis and Richard “Dick” Murray. Jim has 45 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 24 at Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, Salina. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23 with Rosary services following at 5:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart parish, Birthright of Salina or your favored charity. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is in care of arrangements.