James Kevin Murray (known in different decades of his life to family and friends as Kevin, Jim, and JK), died on April 9, 2024, in Loveland, CO, three days shy of his 72nd birthday. 

Born in Tonawanda, NY in 1952, to Doris and Clark Murray, Kevin was the third of five children. In 1966, he moved with his family to Rocky River, OH. Even after moving away from his large extended family in the Buffalo, NY area, Kevin went back each summer to work and learn the construction trade from his Grampa Wilb Holler. ‘Gramps’ work ethic, family values, and generosity towards others made a lasting impression. Returning in later years for the huge family reunions in Tonawanda (and the homemade chowder) was always a highlight. 

At the age of 19, after hearing about Fort Collins and Colorado State University, Kevin moved West to give Colorado a try - and never left. He loved the mountains, the crisp Colorado morning air, fun with friends and working in construction. A contractor who hired Kevin looked at his legal first name (James), started calling him Jim, and the name stuck for a whole bunch of friends that he met from then on. Jim built several custom homes in Northern Colorado and had an immense appreciation for design and architecture. 

He married Elisabeth (Guild) Wilson on September 8, 1979, in Fort Collins, CO. The nickname JK began when he married Beth but he still answered to any and all of his names, easily switching between them. Beth and JK have a daughter, Megan, and a son, Nick.  A favorite pastime for JK was bird hunting with Jesse, his Chesapeake Retriever, for about a decade from the mid 1970s.

Jim began a career in Real Estate in the late 1980s, and worked for 33 years with The Group, Inc. Real Estate. His hard work to learn about the Real Estate industry, with his construction knowledge and practical approach to sales, his friendly attitude, and his quick wit earned him steadfast friends and repeat clients throughout his career. Jim loved his kids and grandkids, making funny faces, ice cream (his favorite being Cherry Garcia), the early FORD Mustang, British cars (especially the Morgan Plus 8 Roadster - he owned 2 of them over the years), and he loved building homes for himself and Beth even when he was no longer a contractor. 

Jim was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 51 and in the last several years had a difficult battle with dementia as well. 

He is survived by Beth Murray, his wife of 44 years, daughter Megan Murray (Reid Maulsby), son Nick Murray (McKenzie Dean), seven grandkids (Gwyneth, Ryker, Evelyn, and Mary Maulsby; Willa, Finnegan, and Otto Murray), his brother Jeff Murray (Ann Marie McCarthy), his sister Pam Harry (Len Harry), and his brother Jon Murray (Laurie Murray).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Doris H. Murray (2018) and S. Clark Murray Jr.(2002), and his brother Gregory Murray (1980).

His family would like to thank everyone for the pictures, kind words, and great memories that you’ve shared. In lieu of sympathy cards, it would be wonderful, if you so choose, to send a birthday greeting card to the family (in honor of Jim’s April 12th birthday) instead. Cards, and memories may be sent in care of: 

Vessey Funeral Service 

2649 East Mulberry Street Fort Collins, CO 80524 

Donations to one of the following charities of your choice, in the memory of James Kevin Murray, would be greatly appreciated. 

The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research: https://www.michaeljfox.org/

Davis Phinney Foundation: https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/about/

Brian Grant Foundation: https://briangrant.org/give/

To honor and remember James Kevin Murray, a gathering is being planned for June 13, 2024.