Allen Murray, 83

Allen Murray passed away Aug. 20, 2009, at age 83 in Kalispell. His loving granddaughter Melanie was by his side. Allen was born Dec. 27, 1925, in Elkhart, Kan., to Aaron and Lottie Murray.

After graduating from high school in LaJunta, Colo., he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Shangri-La during World War II. After the war, he returned to LaJunta where he met and married the love of his life, Bette Long. They had been married 63 years and had four daughters.

He worked at Heating and Plumbing in Rocky Ford, Colo., and as a carpenter. They moved to Security, Colo., where he worked for Heating and Plumbing Engineers in Colorado Springs.

Allen was a charter member of the Security Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years, having served most offices including fire chief. The Fire Department began the practice of putting on the annual Fourth of July fireworks display. The pride his daughters had in his involvement for highlighting each summer with the annual display is still reflected in their enjoyment of fireworks.

Allen was dedicated to anything that interested him. When his daughters were in school, he was involved in the Widefield High School Booster Club in Security, always on the sidelines of any sport. The Denver Broncos was "his team." He consistently kept his mind sharp with the crossword puzzles and cryptograms he mastered.

After vacationing on Flathead Lake for several years, Bette and Allen bought Sunset Resort in Bigfork. He enjoyed fishing, boating and wildlife year round on the lake. In 1988, they retired and settled in Kalispell.

Allen was a musician, having played guitar since he was 6 years old. As he grew up he continued to play music as a hobby. He had his own band, and then later played in his brother Wes' band. Western music was his great love and his best "Bud" was his brother Wes.

Allen "has gone to join" his parents, Aaron and Lottie; his sisters, Alma Bemiss, Beulah Wolber and Lola Howell; and his two brothers, Ralph and Wes Murray.

He will be lovingly missed by his wife, Bette; and daughters, Sandra Rivera and Tino of Las Cruces, N.M., Barbara Allison and Bruce, and Karla Murray of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Deborah Gifford and Dale of Kalispell; and his twin sister, Aline Stewart, of LaJunta; also his grandchildren, Melanie Reiner and Nathan, Tara Castle, Marina, and Adreana Almanza, Brian and Shane Dietz, Colleen Allison and Jacob Allison, serving in the U.S. Army in Germany; and great-grandchildren, Brock, Amber, Elizabeth, Rudy, Jordan, Elijah and Isabella.

Private family services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, officiated by the Rev. Darold Reiner.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to VFW Post No. 2411, 318 Third St., Las Animas, CO 81054, where he was a lifetime member.

Friends are encouraged to visit the Web site at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.