Gordon “Grizz” Murray, of White Hall, Arkansas, died at the age 86 on February 4, 2021.

Born in New York to the late Homer and Elizabeth Murray, Gordon enlisted in the military, Navy and Air Force, after high School and moved to the South after his discharge where he learned quickly how to hunt and fish and enjoyed every minute he was outdoors. He learned to farm and parlayed that into his love of gardening in his later years.

Survivors are his wife of 63 years, Iris Murray, daughters, Iris Forrest, Patricia Murray, Pamela Smith and sons, Michael (Judy) Murray and Patrick (Tara Johnson) Murray; grandchildren, Dikenia Williams, Tomi Weatherspoon, Brannon Forrest, Ashley Smith, Aaron Smith, Alex Blevins, Austin Murray, and Alyssa Torres; and great-grandchildren Destin Williams, Kayla Thornton, Connor Weatherspoon and Laynie Wallace. Gordon is also survived by a special cousin that he grew up with, Mimi Hall.

A Navy and Air Force veteran, Gordon was very proud to serve on the U. S.S. Intrepid during the Korean War. A lifetime member of the American Legion and the DAV, he was a member of the 40 and 8 Voiture #182, American Legion Post #343 in Redfield and a volunteer at the VA Hospital in Little Rock. He had a passion for serving and working for children and nurses’ scholarships in the organizations.

Gordon never met a stranger and to many he was known as Santa. For many years he visited Jenkins Memorial Center in Pine Bluff and was Santa to their clients. Small children would follow him in stores, and he was always happy to play along and listened to their Christmas wishes.

He served as a volunteer fireman. Little League Baseball Coach and Pee Wee Football coach in White Hall for many years. He was also a volunteer leader when his children were in 4-H and a member of the NRA.

Graveside services will be held at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. Mask must be worn, and social distancing guidelines will be followed.

The family is requesting no flowers. Any memorials may be made to the CAVHS Volunteer Service, 2200 Foot Roots Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72214 and designated to the Community Living Center (CLC).

Online register at www.rfwhitehall.com