Remembering Wesley Allen Murray: A Life of Service and Dedication

Wesley Allen Murray, a dedicated community member and veteran, passed away on October 16, 2025, in Whittier, California. He was 85 years old and had spent the last 40 years of his life in Whittier, where he became well-known for his commitment to service and his vibrant personality.

Born on March 23, 1940, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Flora and Allen Murray, Wes spent his formative years in Rochester, New York. He graduated from Monroe High School before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio.

After college, Wes briefly worked as a YMCA Boys Director before enlisting in the United States Air Force, where he served for five and a half years. Notably, he completed six months of combat missions over Vietnam as a B-52 navigator/bombardier. Following his military service, he furthered his education at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning.

Wes’s career included significant contributions to urban planning. He worked as an area planner for the City of Philadelphia Planning Department under the guidance of renowned urban planner Edmund Bacon. Over the years, he held various roles in landscape design and project management, and he also shared his knowledge as a lecturer at the University of Oregon’s Landscape Architecture Department for five years.

In retirement, Wes found purpose in community service. He was actively involved with the Whittier First United Methodist Church, serving on multiple committees and taking on various tasks as needed. He also contributed to the City of Whittier by participating in various boards and commissions. Every Wednesday morning, he volunteered at the Uptown Library’s Veterans’ Resource Center, providing support and resources to fellow veterans.

Wes was a devoted member of the Whittier Host Lions Club, where he participated in activities such as collecting used glasses for the Sight and Hearing Foundation and organizing blood donation drives. His commitment to blood donation was remarkable; records indicate that he donated over 43 gallons throughout his lifetime, with his most recent donation occurring at City of Hope in Duarte, California.

His passion for community extended to Habitat for Humanity, where he participated in the Jimmy Carter Build Project in Los Angeles in 2007. Known for his woodworking skills, Wes crafted toy cars, which he distributed to children in his community and donated to charities for fundraising events.

A voracious reader, Wes had a keen interest in history and mystery literature. He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Rita Murray; his sons, Christopher (Karla) and Timothy Murray; his grandson, Declan Murray; and his sister, Thomasin (Alan) Pierce. He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Murray.

A memorial service will be held on November 15 at the Whittier First United Methodist Church, located at 13222 Bailey Street, Whittier, California, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Whittier First United Methodist Church, the Whittier Host Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, the Whittier Public Library Foundation for the Veterans Resource Center, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, or any favorite charity. Donations or blood donations in his memory to City of Hope are also encouraged, reflecting the legacy of service that Wes exemplified throughout his life.