James Murray

James Patrick Murray (1942–2026)

James Patrick Murray, age 83, of Grand Rapids, passed away on February 1, 2026. He was a man of high standards, sharp opinions, and a personality that could fill—or occasionally clear—a room.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and raised in Grand Rapids by his parents, Genevieve and Robert Murray, Jim was a proud Catholic Central grad and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He spent 60 years married to his wife, Sharon, a feat of endurance and loyalty on both their parts.
Jim was the definition of a "tough nut to crack." He was fiercely loyal but famously stubborn, charming when he was in the mood and finicky when he wasn’t. He was a man of contradictions: cheap enough to argue over a nickel, yet generous enough to give you the shirt off his back if you were one of his own. He was a master of the "long story," and while he could be exhausting to keep up with, his opinions were never a mystery.
His greatest pride was his family. Though he wasn't always easy, he was always there—usually on the sidelines. He loved nothing more than watching his kids and grandkids play sports, likely providing "constructive" feedback from the bleachers. He was a die-hard Michigan fan who bled Blue and had absolutely no use for the Spartans.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children, Patricia Cross and her husband Kevin, Robert Murray and his wife Kimberly, and Molly Murray and her wife Heather Maxwell-Murray. He also leaves behind his seven grandchildren: Regan Cross, Sarah Cross, Nicholas Cross, James Murray, Kelly Murray, Sean Murray, and Avery Murray.