Clifford G. Murray, 83, of Pendleton, a former Baker City police chief, died May 8, 2008, at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton.
His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Faith Center Church, 108 S. Main St., in Pendleton.
Cliff was born on April 14, 1925, at Perry to Levi Garrett Murray and Zrietta Morris Murray. He was the youngest of four children.
He moved to Pendleton after his parents divorced. He was raised and educated at Pendleton. After a few years, his mother married Fred Kofford. They had a son, Jerry, giving Cliff a younger brother whom he loved and teased.
On June 4, 1942, Cliff joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. After his training, he served in the South Pacific on the USS Barnes.
While on Eniewetok Island, he was injured when a load of bombs exploded. He was discharged from the military on Jan. 12, 1946, and returned home to attend college at La Grande.
Cliff met Wana Mae Williamson and they were married on Jan. 1, 1947, at Pendleton. He soon joined the Pendleton Police Department where he was employed for eight years.
He then moved to Baker City where he hired as the police chief. After three years in Baker City, he interviewed for the same position at San Clemente, Calif., where he became the youngest police chief in California in 1955.
Cliff attended the FBI National Academy and Secret Service training and worked with the Secret Service in providing protection for President Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger and other dignitaries who stayed at San Clemente at the Summer White House.
After two open heart surgeries, he took a medical retirement and began working for the C.J. Seagerstrom South Coast Shopping Center and business complex as director of security. At that time, South Coast Plaza was the largest shopping center in the United States.
His wife, Wana, died in 1983. He married Micki Evans in 1985 and they returned to Pendleton to care for his parents.
Cliff enjoyed working with people and he loved his children, Steven and Paula, stepson, Eric, and son, Skyler, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved the Lord, family, friends, flying, traveling and fishing at Troy with the Whalen family.
“He was a dedicated loving husband and father – relishing quiet times at home, candlelight dinners and reading,” his family said.
Survivors include his wife, Micki, and son, Skyler, both of Pendleton; his brother, Jerry Kofford of Pleasant Grove, Utah; four granddaughters; five grandsons; seven great-grandchildren, with one on the way; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorials contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Kidney Dialysis Foundation through Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, P.O. Box 389, Pendleton, OR 97801.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 13, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
