Marion Ladean Murray

ARLINGTON -- Marion LaDean "Dean" Murray, 81, peacefully slipped into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at Fielder Church, 2011 S. Fielder Road, Arlington. Interment: follows at 2 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Lane A. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please support the ministries of Fielder Church at 1323 W Pioneer Pkwy., Arlington, Texas, 76013 and Pursley Missionary Baptist Church at 8120 FM 642, Purdon, Texas, 76679. Dean was born Sept. 12, 1935, in Pursley, Texas, to Ned and Cecil Murray. He grew up farming and ranching in the Pursley community in Navarro County. He married Wilene Bennett, also of Pursley, in 1956 and moved to Arlington where they created loving memories together for 60 years. Dean received his college degree at North Texas State University in Denton. Later he worked the line at the GM plant in Arlington, taught Industrial Sciences (shop class) in an Arlington junior high school and still had time to spend 35 years in military service. He spent a short time in tanks, but was blessed to spend the majority of his time as a CH-47 helicopter pilot in the 149th Aviation Battalion. He retired as a colonel from the Texas Army National Guard and was the facility commander of the Dallas Army Aviation Support Facility. Dean and Wilene were faithful members of Fielder Road Baptist Church for over 40 years. He taught in the children's department for many years and was later honored to be called as a deacon for the church. Prior to his passing, he was further honored with the title of deacon emeritus. Yes, Dean filled many roles in his life . . . a son, a brother, an uncle, a husband, a father, a grandfather and even a great-grandfather. He was a pilot, a leader, a commander, a deacon, a mentor, a friend and a faithful follower of Christ. However, there was no role he was more proud of than the role of being a Papa! Survivors: Dean is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Wilene Murray; his siblings, Larry Murray and wife, Sue, and Carolyn Korn; his children, Cindy Francis and husband, Joe, and Cory Murray and wife, Dana; grandchildren, Sarah Swanson and husband, Wade, Rachael Randall and husband, Derek, Joseph Francis, Shelby Murray and Erin Murray; great-grandchildren, Savannah and Noah Swanson, and Luke and Finn Randall; nieces; nephews; cousins; friends; and brothers and sisters in Christ.