Joseph Bruce Murray

Joseph (Joey) Bruce Murray, 25, died tragically on 8 October 2022 in Lakeland, Florida. Joey was a beloved father, son and brother who was a kind soul who worked hard and tried to help all those he could. He made the world a better place.

Joseph was born on Jan. 10th, 1997, at the Naval Hospital in Beaufort, South Carolina to Joseph C. and Julia (Stienmier) Murray.  A military child, Joseph lived all over the United States and abroad and was a 2015 graduate of the Oslo International School in Norway. Growing up where the Marine Corps stationed his father, he pursued what activities were available and played football, basketball and lacrosse on various school and club teams. Joseph was very active in Scouting and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2015. In 2019, he earned an Associate of Science Degree in Engineering from the Tidewater Community College in Chesapeake Virginia and at the time of his death was working toward completion of his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida while working full time for the Tampa Zoo and taking care of his family.

Surviving are his children, Ava Josephine and James Lee, his parents, his brothers Richard and Christian and sister Helen of Wesley Chapel, Florida, and his paternal grandmother Alice Murray of Creston. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Garrison Murray of Creston and his maternal grandparents, Richard and Saundra Stienmier of Colorado.

Services will be Saturday, Oct 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home with Father Leigh Aaron Kestor officiating.  Burial will be in Creston Maple Mound Cemetery.  Friends may call Saturday from 12 - 2 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Essentials, https://www.wearetheessentials.com/donate