John J. Murray

John J. Murray, age 81, of Rochester, completed his earthly pilgrimage on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at Parkinson's Specialty Care in Golden Valley, MN. A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church 222 6th Ave. SW, Rochester with Pastor Joel Haak and Dr. Reverend David Preuss co-officiating. The visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. There will be a private family burial in Oakwood East Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the family. Arrangements are with Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes. John James Murray was born on March 3, 1934, to Leo and Esther (Heinz) Murray on a dairy farm in Hastings, MN. He attended Guardian Angels and graduated from Hastings High School. John obtained his masters degree at the University of Minnesota in Agriculture Education. On October 24, 1959, he married Florine Baumgard at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lakfield, MN. John taught high school agriculture in the Okabena and Jackson School Districts. He later took a position of Adult Farm Management Instructor in Jackson from 1972 to 1984, and was also an areaAgriculture Coordinator in southwestern MN. John served at the president of both the MN and National Vocational Teachers Associations. He was instrumental in starting the National FFA Farm Business Management Career Development Event where he served as a superintendent for over 30 years and also helped with the progression with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. John served as superintendent of the MN FFA Crop Show for many years, served on the National Pork Producers Agriculture Committee for over ten years, and was included in the MN FFA Hall of Fame. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church,serving as an elder. John is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Florine; children, Ken (Kathryn) Murray of Plymouth, Joel Murray of Minneapolis, Janeen Murray of Worthington, Steven (Suzanne) Murray of Mankato; daughter, Dr. Sara Murray and her husband, Dr. John Nguyen of Minneapolis; eleven grandchildren; brothers, Warren (Sharon) Murray Vermillion, MN, Robert Murray of IA; sister, Kathleen (Robert) Armbruster of Hastings; many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by two sisters; and his parents. John will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.