Rev. John “Jack” E. Murray Jr., age 85, passed away May 3, 2023, in Butte, Montana. A beloved diocesan Catholic Priest for 60 years to the Diocese of Helena. A lifetime dedicated to the Lord serving the spiritual needs of all people.
Father Murray was born in Butte, Montana, on November 23, 1937, to parents, John Elmer Murray and Margaret O’Neill Murray. He was raised in Deer Lodge, Montana, graduating from Powell County High School. Jack attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and graduated from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, with a degree in Theology. He completed his priesthood vocational studies at Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1963.
Bishop Raymond G. Hunthausen ordained Father Murray on June 1,1963, at the Cathedral of Saint Helena. The following day Father Murray offered his first Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church, his childhood parish in Deer Lodge.
His first assignment was the summer of 1963 as Associate Pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Butte. In July 1963, Father Murray was appointed Associate Pastor at St. Michael’s Parish in Conrad. He returned to Butte in August 1968 as Associate Pastor to Sacred Heart Parish. Later in July 1970 he was assigned Associate Pastor at St Ann Parish in Butte. From 1968 to 1970 he served on the Faculty Board of Butte Central Catholic High School.
His first Pastoral assignment was Little Flower Parish in Browning from 1972 until 1982. In July of 1982 he was assigned Pastor to St. William Parish in Shelby.
In August of 1988 Father did a sabbatical in Ireland for one year. Upon returning he served as Pastor at Anaconda Catholic Community. Father Murray remained in Anaconda from 1989 till entering Senior Status in July of 2008, he then returned to his family home in Deer Lodge.
Father Murray served on boards for the Diocese of Helena, the Carroll College Board of Directors, and many years on the Diocesan Priest Personnel Board. In Senior Status Father Murray substituted for many Priests in the diocese. He traveled from western Montana to North, South, East and West in all types of weather to serve as substitute. He was very concerned with the shortages of priests. He understood the value of time off from priestly duties, but, most importantly, ensuring the people received the cherished Bread of Life. Even while suffering poor health, Father Murray persisted in meeting the needs of the people.
Known as the “Hiking Priest” he climbed the mountains of Montana and the world. From his youth, Father Jack cherished the outdoors. Fishing, river rafting, hiking, camping, and biking were all activities he extracted the peace and strength found in nature with. Father selected the final resting place, his boyhood where he spent hiking Mount Powell located west of Deer Lodge. While selecting the site, Father Jack’s comment was “I could look at this view forever:”
With a passion for football, Father Murray intensely watched Notre Dame games. Best not to disturb his game days with phone calls or an unexpected drop in visit.
Father Murray led pilgrimages to the Holy Land, walking the St James Way Camino de Santiago, The Kerry Way of Ireland, the Andes of South America, the Himalayas and the Great Wall of China. During retirement he visited almost every continent while serving as a chaplain aboard cruise ships.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Elmer and Margaret Murray of Deer Lodge, and a cousin, 1Lt. Daniel John O’Neill of Butte. He is survived by numerous cousins including Jean O’Neill Erickson of Ronan, Dr. William Brennick of Butte, Ellen Crowley of Vancouver, WA, Greg Murray of Bozeman, and Brent Murray of Great Falls.
Father Jack considered as family his fellow priests, deacons, and nuns all in union with their vocations and, most importantly, the cherished members of parishes he was ordained to serve.
A vigil service and Rosary will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 605 Clark St., Deer Lodge, MT 59722. Viewing and visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday May 12th followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Deer Lodge. The Most Reverend Austin A. Vetter will celebrate the Mass, assisting will be Father Joseph P. Fleming. Rite of Committal will follow mass at Hillcrest Cemetery, W. Milwaukee Ave. in Deer Lodge. Following the interment, a reception will take place at St. Mary’s Center, 615 St. Marry’s Ave. in Deer Lodge.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Father Murray are suggested to Immaculate Conception Parish, PO Box 786, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, or to the Dioceses of Helena, “Priest Retirement Fund” written in the memo, 630 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601, or to a Catholic Church parish of the donor’s choice.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Father Murray.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Father Murray and his family.
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:00 P.M.
Thursday May 11, 2023
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Deer Lodge
605 Clark St.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Viewing
12:00 PM
Friday May 12, 2023
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Deer Lodge
605 Clark St.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Funeral Mass
1:00 PM
Friday May 12, 2023
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Deer Lodge
605 Clark St.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Graveside Service
Following Mass
Friday May 12, 2023
Hillcrest Cemetery
W. Milwaukee Ave.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Reception
Following Graveside Service
Friday May 12, 2023
St. Mary's Center
615 St. Mary's Ave.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:00 P.M.
Thursday May 11, 2023
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Deer Lodge
605 Clark St.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Viewing
12:00 PM
Friday May 12, 2023
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Deer Lodge
605 Clark St.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Funeral Mass
1:00 PM
Friday May 12, 2023
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Deer Lodge
605 Clark St.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Graveside Service
Following Mass
Friday May 12, 2023
Hillcrest Cemetery
W. Milwaukee Ave.
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Reception
Following Graveside Service
Friday May 12, 2023
St. Mary's Center
615 St. Mary's Ave.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
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Mary Jo Aschim says
Father Murray was my CYO advisor in high school and later my parish priest while I was raising my children. He was a kind and caring man, full of compassion and blessed with Irish wit. He was an enormous help in my faith journey, a great example of living life with joy and gratitude. I respected him, but beyond that I liked him. He was a wonderful priest, a credit to his profession. Rest in peace, Father Murray.
Henry Wilkinson says
Fr. Jack Murray, a wonderful Priest, mentor and friend to my wife and I for over 30 years. We hiked the mountains with him, followed him into the wilderness, and tagged along on a spiritual journey that was wonderful, fun, and loving. He was brilliant in thought, kind as a listener, and loved to breathe in the mountain air, munch on huckleberries, and marvel at the beargrass flowers. We fished together, camped together, prayed together, and I KNOW, we will never be separated…..Get ready, Father Murray….No. 2 and No. 3 are not far behind.
I love you “Dad”…..Sonny-Boy!
Neil Sullivan says
Cousin: So sorry to hear of your passing. Rest in peace
Kevin Laughlin says
Fr. Jack and I worked in youth ministry, parish council and other parish activates while I served in Shelby as toole County agent for MSU from 1981 to 1990. He was a hiking partner in Glacier park and revered for his service in Browning by friends and Tribal families there. He was a good priest and faithful to his ministry in sacrament and a wise councilor for many. We have kept in touch over the decades. Our visit last summer memorable; he always had a gentle joke and infectious laugh that invited many to love God and neighbor and not take oneself too seriously. Thank you friend, as you strom heaven I hope the Camino stories unfold just as they should. In humble gratitude and thanksgiving. Kevin laughlin, Garden City, Idaho.
Mitzi Hensleigh says
I remember hiking up to Saddle Rock with Father Murray. He was such a wonderful man and priest. He stood in for our priest at St. Matthews here in Kalispell and I had a wonderful visit with him about his time at Butte Central…
Pat Perrier says
Fr. Jack was a lifelong friend, from his time in Conrad when I was in high school, to trips and pilgrimages overseas, to his visits in Alaska when he would pass through while being chaplain. He always said that wherever he went he would run into someone he knew or had met on his travels, and this was probably true on every trip we went on. He was an incredible person and will be dearly missed, but is probably already have the time of his life in this new phase of life after death. Farewell for now, dear friend.
Mary McMahon says
I’ve known Father Jack my entire life as he went all through school in Deer Lodge with my oldest brother, Don Fraser. I have some wonderful memories of occasional brief visits with Father Jack in Deer Lodge, Butte & Anaconda. What a wonderful priest and human being he was. Even during his own illness last year, he & Don reconnected when Don was battling cancer. Their lives took very different journeys yet were able to reconnect when it mattered. Rest in peace Father Jack & rise in glory.
Jack Haffey says
Father Murray was our pastor at Holy Family Catholic Church in Anaconda for almost 20 years.
We were especially blessed to have him that long.
His total devotion to serving people was obvious.
His celebration of Mass was always excellent – and his homilies were always interesting, on point and inspirational. He traveled in his small white truck to wherever he was needed – a true servant leader.
We are truly blessed and thankful for Father Jack Murray.
Joanne and Jim Cortese says
Jack was an admirable, holy man.
Steve Swoboda says
Fr Jack was instrumental in guiding my lifelong journey with the Trinity. Such a treasure! At St William, he washed our feet during holy week, we walked Stations through Shelby on Good Friday. Had such deeply meaningful experiences. And they were filled with joy and humor. Two examples:
Father Jack asked Joe Moriarty and I to do a practice confession for his homily. These things were inexpicliby humbling. Well, I was first and did my harmless list of “sins.” Next went Joe who went through his litany. When completed, Joe said “One more thing; I have gossiped mercilessly about our parish priest.” A second or two passed and the congregation erupted in laughter. Fr Jack just shook his head as he cracked a smile as if to say “why me?!?”
Another time , preparing for Holy Week, we had a 24 hour vigil of thr host in the monstrun in the parish hall basement. My wife and I did the 3am time and Joe signed up for a time around that.
Fr Jack wanted that experience to be so meaningful for the Parish— and it was. Fr John told me a few days later that he had a fitfull rest that night and so wanted to check on those in the Parish Hall because he dreamt we were at a table in front of the Host, not devoutly praying, but playing cards,smoking cigars, and cussing at each other.
Love the Priest and Mensch you were, Fr Jack!