James Murray

James Harold Murray, 79, of Great Falls, a retired Carpenter, died of renal failure brought on by diabetes on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at his residence.Cremation will take place and at his request no services will be held.Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Jim was born June 21, 1932 in Dillon, MT to Harold Cornell Murray and Mary Elizabeth (Shields) Murray. He was the 2nd of 4 sons. He grew up in Dillon attending grade school and Beaverhead Head County High School, graduating in 1950. Jim had been born blind in one eye but that didn't stop him from playing football and basketball in high school. After high school he attended Western Montana College in Dillon and later attended Northern Montana College in Havre, MT studying history.Jim worked construction and, at one time, worked at the Fort Peck Dam. He was a member of the Great Falls Local Carpenters Union. In 1965 he met the love of his life, Vallerie I. (Williams) Albrecht. She was working at Poulsen's Lumber in Great Falls. They were married on March 12, 1966 in Coeur d'Alene, ID. While Jim never had any children of his own, when he married Val he also got a big bonus, a ready-made family whom he grew to love and who grew to love him.Jim and Val lived in Great Falls where he worked for Omundson's as an appliance repair man and then later for Opportunities, Inc. In 1974 they purchased land in Limestone Canyon out of Raynesford, MT and started building their cabin on their little piece of heaven. Several additions later, that cabin became their home. They permanently moved to the cabin in 1983. Jim continued to commute to Great Falls to work until he retired from Opportunities, lnc. Family and friends enjoyed many good times at their place. Christmas was always there and there was always plenty of snow and lots of fun. They lived there until 2008 when health issues forced them to move back to Great Falls.Jim loved growing vegetables in his greenhouse & making bird houses in his shop. He continued to grow tomatoes in town. He liked to cook and barbeque and loved nothing better than a fine glass of wine and good conversation. He was an avid reader and a terrific history buff - he was the best at Trivial Pursuits. He liked to watch football and basketball and really enjoyed watching Beaverhead County High School win the Class A basketball championship in 2009 in Great Falls. He had a great sense of humor and wonderful dry wit. Through the years he persevered through 2 heart bypass surgeries and a bite from a brown recluse spider that was thought to have triggered his diabetes. He was a kind and generous person and truly one of the good guys . We all loved him and we'll all miss him very much.Jim is survived by his wife, Val of Great Falls; brother Charlie of Helena; nephew Chris Murray; step-children Vivianne (Paul) Lott of Raynesford, Terry (Daryl) Albrecht of Fort Shaw, Bill (Judy) Albrecht of Missoula and John (Jan) Williams of Spokane, WA; grandchildren Bob (Laurie) Carter of Missoula, Jeffrey (Kerry) Albrecht of Great Falls and Scott (Colleen) Carter of Great Falls; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Aaron Albrecht and Seth, Ben, Max and Nick Carter.He was preceded in death by his mother and father; and brothers, George and Warren.All our family members helped to care for Val & Jim during the last several months, but a special thank you goes to Scott & Colleen, niece Vivian McCormick and great- great-great niece Kaycee Guckeen for their care and help.In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Peace Hospice or donor's choice.Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.