Murray Erens

Murray Erens, age 79, of Merlin, passed away Monday, May 13, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family.

A military ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, June 28, 2013 at Eagle Point National Cemetery.

A celebration of life memorial will be at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, June 29, 2013 at the Elks Lodge (on K Street, Grants Pass). A potluck will follow. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association, 1200 NW Naito Parkway, Portland, Oregon 97209 or the Marine Corps League, c/o Wayne Owens, 261 Crystal Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon 97527.

Murray was born June 16, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York to Harry & Fay Erens. In 1941 he moved to Los Angeles, California. After attending Hollywood High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps in July 1950 and served until July 1954. He saw action in Korea from July 1951 to April 1952 and was the youngest Staff Sergeant in the history of the Marine Corps. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Junior College in the San Fernando Valley and served an apprenticeship program at Lockheed in Burbank, California. On January 14, 1953 in San Bernardino, California he married the love of his life, Loraine Almond. For over 16 years he worked for Otis Elevator. After a heart attack in 1971 he left Otis in 1974 and moved his family to So. Lake Tahoe, California. He then designed, built, and operated Dory’s Oar Seafood Restaurant for ten years before selling it to retire to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1984.

Murray was a member of the Marine Corps League; a life member of the Elks; a former member of Jefferson State Street Rods; and Radio Control Airplane Club.

His past hobbies included woodworking, leather work, etching, building street rods; rod runs; riding horses; making fishing poles; fishing; trap shooting; building & flying radio control airplanes; designing and building his former home and traveling in his 35’ motor home - going across country twice for several months and trips to Mexico and Canada.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lorraine Erens; two daughters, Barbara Thomson and husband Wayne and Mimi Bertrand; a son, Rick Erens and wife Jeaneece; ten grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jan Eastin; his parents; and a sister, Eileen Wolf.