Maj. Murray A. Pirtle, Usaf, (Ret.)

Maj. Murray A. Pirtle, USAF, (Ret.) age 76, from Houston, TX, passed away June 17, 2014 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his daughter Debra Hitchcock, parents Murray Pirtle and Ruth Pirtle and sisters, Johnine Langford and Diane Sausley.

After high school Murray was employed as a ballroom dance instructor at the Houston Arthur Murray Dance Studio and married Jan Baker, his dance partner. In 1956, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and entered the Air Force as an Airman Basic. He retired as a Major. Murray served four years enlisted time before entering the high attrition Aviation Cadet Navigator program; this made him the oldest cadet in his class. During the year of intensive training, the ‘Old Man’ was subjected to rigorous military and physical training, difficult quantitative academics and demanding flight training. On May 22, 1961 Murray was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force and received his wings as a rated navigator.

Murray’s first tactical assignment was to Dow AFB, Maine as a KC-97 tanker navigator supporting Strategic Air Command’s (SAC) bomber force. SAC tanker navigation remained his specialty until the onset of the Vietnam War. War in Southeast Asia led to a transition to the C-130E tactical airlift transport and deployment to CCK Air Base in Taiwan. From CCK Murray flew 1,250 combat missions, some lasting over 13 hours, and served 33 consecutive months in a combat zone.

After completing 20 years of Air Force active service, Murray retired from the 773rd Tactical Airlift Squadron at Dyess AFB, Texas and chose to remain in Abilene. He returned to school and graduated from Hardin Simmons University with a degree in Geology. Thereafter Murray put his military technology training to work by opening an electronics business.

Family was Murray’s lifeblood and first priority. He had three daughters; Lacy Strelec, Debra Hitchcock (deceased) and Katie Elliott. Grandchildren, nieces and nephews were treated as if his own as he willingly assumed the role of a father figure. He never hesitated to help his extended family in time of need. Murray’s supportive ways included financial assistance, tutoring, mentoring, and child care. He was a patriarch, the life of the party and a classic humorist.

Murray acquired many buddies during his military and civilian years. While still able, he played golf daily with Charlie Core. He would escape the dry west and try his luck with night fishing in the Gulf of Mexico with his buddy Nick Darden. As his health deteriorated and a spinal tumor left him unable to walk, his sister Judy Lavoie dedicated ten years of her life to his intensive care.

At the end of his life, his daughter Lacy convinced Murray to move to Austin to make an aggressive attempt to defeat the stage 4 cancer. Murray fought hard and never gave up. The end times were bittersweet, he was able to see Lacy daily and spend quality time with his new grandson Logan and niece Courtney Jordan. His family brought him joy, best illustrated when his daughter and grandson would depart after a visit he would scream “I love you” at the top of his frail lungs, the burst of energy mirroring his zest for life.

Murray departed this life while holding the hand of his daughter Lacy and his sister Judy. He is survived by his former wife Beverly Pirtle; sister Judy Lavoie, daughter Lacy (Jon) Strelec and Katie (Jeff) Elliott; grandchildren: Logan Strelec, Amanda Wright, Kelsey Luthy, Molly Lester and Allison Wonser; nieces: Sara Elledge, Kathi Saage, Deena Cromley, Danielle Oatman and Cheryl Mangrum, nephews: Jim Langford, Tom Langford, Michael Sausley and Michael Lavoie; and numerous great grandchildren, great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation will be held from 4pm to 6pm Sunday June 22, 2014 at Piersall-Benton Funeral Directors 733 Butternut. Funeral service will be at 10:30 am Monday, June 23, 2014 at the funeral home with full military honors ceremony to follow at noon at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 7457 West Lake Road in Abilene. Pallbearers will be, Michael Lavoie, Michael Sausley, Charlie Core, Jon Strelec, Michael Oatman, Michael Jones.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Christopher House in Austin, TX. Please make contributions on behalf of Murray Pirtle by calling Celeste at: 512-342-4700. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.