Lt. Col. Alvin C. Murray III

Sep 6th, 1939 - Jun 11th, 2019

Birth Date: Sep 6, 1939
Death Date: Jun 11, 2019
Funeral Date: Jul 10, 2019 at 10:30 am
Location: Ruebel Funeral Home Chapel
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Biography: Lt. Col. Alvin Curtis Murray III, age 74, died at his home on June 11th with his family at his
bedside.

Col. Murray is survived by his wife of 53 years, Frances Stopfer Murray, and two children,
Christy Bray (Scott of Little Rock) and Leslie Rice (Ryan of Phoenix, AZ), five grandchildren,
Jennifer and Elizabeth Bray, and Samuel, Riley, and Maya Rice, and three siblings Stephen
Murray (Butch of Hughes, AR), Nancy Kellams (Kevin of Fayetteville, AR) and Samuel Murray
(Patty of Chicago, IL).

Col. Murray grew up all across Arkansas where his parents, Mary Ellen and Dr. Alvin C. Murray
Jr., served in ministry in the United Methodist Church. Col. Murray met his lifelong sweetheart
(Fran Stopfer) his senior year of high school at Jonesboro High. Col. Murray attended Arkansas
State University, played on the school golf team, and earned a degree in Business
Administration. Following his college graduation he joined the United States Marine Corp.

Col. Murray is a veteran of the Vietnam War where he piloted Huey helicopters while earning
two Distinguished Flying Cross awards and two Air Medals for heroism and extraordinary
achievement in aerial flight as well as a Bronze Star. Col. Murray served from coast to coast
flying the OV-10 airplane including serving at the Pentagon, Headquarters Marine Reserve,
Headquarters Marine Corp and he reached the highlight of his career as Commanding Officer of
H&MS 36 Squadron in Okinawa, Japan.

After 22 years of service Col. Murray retired from the military and pursued a career in business. In the golden years of his life he returned to his Arkansas roots and settled down in beautiful Hot Springs Village where he blessed his family with golf, tennis, humor, storytelling, cooking, wisdom and love.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at Ruebel Funeral Home Chapel at 6313 West Markham St., Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 followed by a graveside with military honors at Edgewood Memorial Park Cemetery in North Little Rock. Memorials May be made to hopeawayfromhome.org.

Condolences(07)

Peggy Janulis

Feb 8th, 2024 1:18 am

Dear Fran,
I have often thought of you over the years and finally saw Curt's obituary. We had so many fun times together while our husbands were in the service at the same time. Remember working fir Ray at the Buffet. Never stopped laughing. And remember buying trailer homes together. They were such good times..Again my condolences. I hope you see this message and email me. I reside in Bonita Springs Florida. Love you,
Peg
.

Warren Dupwe

Jun 17th, 2019 10:57 am

Frances, I extend my condolence to you and your family and may God comfort you at these difficult times. I lost track of you about 60 years ago but my law office is down the street South on Madison and Jefferson. I often go home south on Madison and when I pass your home at the corner I remember you and your friends and wonder whatever happened to you all and how simple the time were then. My daughter lives south from there on the corner of Madison and Elm. Curt certainly had an outstanding career and I thank you for being there for him as that is something I learned while in the Army that there was a heroic wife in support of he soldier.
Sincerely
Warren Dupwe

Ken Allen

Jun 17th, 2019 8:19 am

It was an honor to be a fraternity brother to Curt at ASU in the 60’s. My sympathy is with his family.

Brenda Holloway

Jun 16th, 2019 3:26 pm

Fran and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I feel your pain. I pray for God to wrap His loving and healing arms around you. It is not easy but the love you shared will comfort you. I am so blessed I got to know you during Curt’s and Charley’s treatments. Talking to someone going thru what we were going thru helped and I thank you for being there for me. I love you and if I can help you in any way please call me. I cry just about everyday and I miss my Charley so very much as you will Curt. We will never stop missing them - we will just grow accustomed to their absence. Again I love you Fran.

Brenda Holloway

Dick and Joetta Duke

Jun 14th, 2019 9:16 pm

We are so saddened to hear of Curt's recent death, and most definitely share in your loss. He was such a good friend, from High School, to our golf outings at the Village, trips to Branson and St. Louis, etc. Our condolences to the entire family, and we pray for peace and strength.

Suzie Tilley Thorley

Jun 14th, 2019 4:48 pm

Fran, I am very saddened to hear of your loss. Know that you are in my thoughts. Hugs from Carlsbad.

Genie Harrington Hopkins

Jun 14th, 2019 12:14 pm

Dear Fran and family,
Words cannot express how sorryI was to hear that Curt had passed. May God fill your loss with His comforting Peace.
Genie and Alex

Lt. Col. Alvin C. Murray III

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