Sterling Dale Murray

Sterling Dale Murray was born in Wellsville, Utah on September 7, 1936 to Fern Lamont and Earl Riggs Murray.  He passed away on January 29, 2018, from complications related to Alzheimer's disease.  His mother recently preceded him in death on January 8, 2017 at the age of 104.  Also preceding him in death was an older brother Earl Murray of Pocatello, Idaho and younger sister Gwenda Sorensen of Grace.  Sterling fought a long and hard battle against Alzheimer's – over 7 years from diagnosis until death maintaining his sense of humor throughout. His wife Gwen took care of him lovingly for four of those years at home.  His health struggles mirrored Glen Campbell's, of whom Sterling was a fan.  
Sterling grew up in Grace, Idaho and many people didn't realize that his father died when he was a toddler.  Due to this early loss, he was incredibly close with his older brother.  Sterling graduated from Grace High School in 1955 where he played basketball on the first state championship basketball team and was Senior Class Vice President.  Sterling was physically active his entire life and enjoyed a variety of activities such as golf, racquetball, and swimming.  In his later years, he took up fencing and was well known for "jumping the fence" at his care facility to the amazement of his family and caregivers.  Sterling was one of the first family members to graduate from college.  He graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Physical Education and Math with a teaching certificate in 1960.  Sterling was a huge cougar fan even though his eldest daughter went to the "U" which resulted in many energetic football and basketball discussions.  After college, he served an LDS mission to Daytona Beach, Florida where he met the mother of his children – Sarah Louise Beall.  Sterling and Louise made their home for many years in Alhambra, California which was a huge change from rural Idaho and Utah.  While in California, he enjoyed a closeness with his brother's family living in Ontario and he often spoke fondly of this time.  In his retirement years, he reconnected with his high school sweetheart – Gwen Moore.  They were married July 1, 1996 and shared 20 happy years together making their home in Centerville, Utah.   Sterling and Gwen enjoyed traveling, attending Shakespearian plays, church history tours and traveling with classmates to Branson, Missouri.  They also enjoyed the theaters around the local area.
Sterling was a hard worker who had a long and illustrious management career with Thrifty Drug and Discount Stores, the University of Utah and the Utah Auto Auction.  Sterling was a humble and generous man with a strong commitment to doing the right thing and putting the needs of others above his own.  After his divorce, he provided a stable home for his daughters and lived over 40 years in North Salt Lake and Centerville.  Sterling enjoyed big band music, sports, his family, and the quiet solitude of long walks.  When his family was asked about their "Sterling memories" some of the things that leapt to mind were "a love of original Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies and sweets," "an obsession with hand detailing his car – taking great pride in an immaculate appearance," and "a love and draw to animals having cocker spanials, poodles, and cats."   Sterling also was known for driving a 1970 Chevy truck that was fondly referred to as "Lizzie" and this gave him a tie to his agricultural roots even while living in suburban, Utah.  Sterling was always game for a chat with his neighbors, playing ping pong in the garage or teasing his kids about leaving the lights on.  
An appropriate epitaph for Sterling would be "Guys like Sterling don't go away; he's just golfing on a higher level."
He is survived by his second wife, Gwen; daughters Laura Jonell and Tina Louise (Steve Maughan); granddaughter Darian Catherine and grandson Mitchell Steven (Danielle).
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street,Bountiful, where a viewing will also be held from 12:30 – 1:30 prior to the service.  Interment will be at the Bountiful Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, UT.
The family would like to express appreciation to Country Care in Farmington, Heritage Place in Bountiful, and Comfort WoRx Hospice for their exceptional care of Sterling.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer's Association, Utah Chapter.