Whittier Residents Mourn the Loss of Community Leader Wesley Allen Murray

Wesley Allen Murray, a dedicated community leader and resident of Whittier, California, passed away on October 16, 2025, at the age of 85. Murray, who had lived in Whittier for 40 years, was known for his commitment to community service and his engaging personality. He often began his life story with the humorous remark, “I was born at a very early age.”

Born on March 23, 1940, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Flora (Motts) and Allen Murray, Wes grew up in Rochester, New York. After graduating from Monroe High School, he attended Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology. His professional journey began as a Boys Director at the YMCA before he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving for 5.5 years, including six months of combat missions in Vietnam as a B-52 navigator/bombardier.

Following his military service, Murray pursued further education at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. He later joined the City of Philadelphia Planning Department, where he worked under noted urban planner Edmund Bacon, the father of actor Kevin Bacon. Throughout his career, he held various roles as an urban planner, landscape designer, and project manager, and he also taught in the Landscape Architecture Department at the University of Oregon for five years.

In the later stages of his career, Murray transitioned to the telecommunications industry, where he was involved in planning and permitting for infrastructure projects. He often remarked that he was busier in retirement than during his full-time career.

Murray’s commitment to service extended beyond his professional life. He was an active member of the Whittier First United Methodist Church, participating in numerous committees and helping with various tasks. In the community, he served on multiple boards and commissions for the City of Whittier. Each Wednesday morning, he volunteered at the Uptown Library’s Veterans’ Resource Center and was seen regularly staffing resource tables.

As a member of the Whittier Host Lions Club, he contributed to the Sight and Hearing Foundation by collecting used glasses and organizing blood donation events. His dedication to blood donation was impressive; he began donating while in college and accumulated over 43 gallons throughout his life. His most recent donation was made at City of Hope in Duarte.

Murray was also involved with Habitat for Humanity and took pride in participating in the Jimmy Carter Build Project in Los Angeles in 2007. In his personal life, he enjoyed woodworking, often creating toy cars for children in the community and donating larger projects for charity fundraisers.

An avid reader, Murray collected books on various topics, with a particular affinity for history and mystery genres. He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Rita; his sons, Christopher (Karla) and Timothy; his grandson, Declan; and his sister, Thomasin (Alan) Pierce. His brother, Michael Murray, predeceased him.

A memorial service will take place on November 15 at the Whittier First United Methodist Church, located at 13222 Bailey Street, Whittier, CA 90601, starting at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial donations 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 other favored charities. Donations or blood donations in his memory may also be made to City of Hope.