Jess Murray Sr., 85, of Harrisburg died Sunday, Aug. 21 at his home.

A lifetime resident of Harrisburg, he was the son of the late Mark Murray and Nellie Reynolds Murray. He owned and operated Murray's Barber Shop since 1956.

Murray was a Poinsett County Veterans Service Officer for 31 years and assisted many families with their V.A. benefits. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II and Korea. He was a prisoner of war (POW) in WWII.

Murray was a member of the American Legion, VFW and the DAV. He was a member of the Poinsett Masonic Lodge #184, a 32 degree Mason and a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

He was also a member of the Pleasant Valley Methodist Church near Harrisburg, where he was a former Sunday School teacher and superintendent.

Murray loved to hunt and fish, but his passion was helping people in need. He worked behind the scenes on many community projects. He was a former grand marshal for the Harrisburg Christmas Parade and received many volunteer service wareds.

He married Mable Marie Neldon and they enjoyed many years together before she preceded him in death in 1975. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Ray Reynolds Murray and Mark Murray; two sisters: Melvira Murray Kirk and Selma Murray Blanche; and one granddaughter, Zoyie Davis.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Jess Murray Jr. and his wife Carolyn of Harrisburg; five grandchildren: Amanda Bush, Katrina Hall, Jessica Louellen, Sonia Smith and Wayne Davis; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at Weston Funeral Service Chapel in Harrisburg with Rev. Robert Hunt and Rev. Captain Lovell officiating. Burial followed with full military honors in Bolivar Cemetery near Harrisburg.

Active pallbearers were Jim Tom Butler, Jim Jim Butler, Lloyd Evans, Nolan Evans, Phil Patterson and Mike Gosha.

Honorary pallbearers included Denton Peabody, Jackie Prince, G.W. Nix, Nolan Norris, Gene Grouch, Jimmy Heeb, David Drum, Christopher Hall, Rodney Stotts, members of the American Legion CC Hill Post 14, mmbers of the VFW and members of the Poinsett Masonic Lodge #184.

Those wishing to make memorials are asked to consider the Pleasant Valley Methodist Church in Harrisburg or the American Legion CC Hill #14 in Harrisburg.