Known to his family and friends as loving, good-natured, and gentlemanly, Murray Andrews passed away on October 24, surrounded by his family, at his home on Vashon Island. Following a long illness, his life ended consistent with how he had lived it — cheerful, uncomplaining, hard-working, and grateful.
Murray was born in Seattle to Ralph and Margaret Andrews, on July 20, 1932. He grew up in Seahurst and graduated from Highline High School. After earning degrees in chemistry and fisheries technology from the University of Washington he spent two years in the U.S. Air Force as a rocket fuel scientist. He met and married his first wife, Jessie, and moved to Bellingham where they had three children.
Murray joined the Bellingham Bagpipe Band and resumed his interest in the seafood industry, starting at Wakefield Seafoods, then Intersea in Seattle. A highlight of his career was appearing on the Johnny Carson show to promote sales of King crab. In 1981 he met and married Jill, his wife of 43 years. Following retirement from his work as an independent seafood inspector in 1995, they moved to Vashon Island, where Murray became embedded in the community.
Murray could often be spotted up a ladder hanging a community banner, under a car changing oil, on a roof fixing a leak, cutting- delivering-stacking loads of wood to support the Community Care Center, lending a hand to the local theater in need of a president or a leading man, counting and identifying fish in restored creeks, finding the perfect used car for any family member or friend who needed one (sometimes travelling great distances to retrieve it) and countless other acts of quiet and competent generosity.
Among his many retirement activities, Murray was an avid runner, biker, rower, hiker, camper and enjoyed skiing diamond runs late into his 80’s. He and Jill biked, hiked, and travelled together to Europe, the Galapagos, Bhutan, Mexico, Africa, Australia, and China. They traveled North America, corgi in tow, and rafted many PNW rivers.
Murray biked the entire Pacific Coast, hiked the Pacific Coast Trail, and earned many running medals, including setting a record in a half marathon in the over-80 class. In quieter moments, Murray enjoyed reading and reciting poetry, was a published author, and a lifelong lover of jazz.
He will be greatly missed by so many.
Murray is survived by his wife Jill, sister Lee, former wife Jessie, son Greg (Kim), daughters Megan (Denny) Thomas & Marney Patton (Dean), stepfamily Katy, Eric (Melissa), Emily (Marc), & John (Chris), 18 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
The family is grateful to caregivers Krystal, Paula, and Jane.
A family celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Vashon food bank.
July 20, 1932 – October 26, 2024
