Linda Diane Murray

Linda Diane (Garrison) Murray

November 11, 1950 – November 3, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear loved one, Linda Murray, on November 3, 2023, after a gallant fight against complications of Parkinson’s Disease. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Linda was born in Twin Falls, Idaho. She was the 2nd daughter of four born to Bill and Retha Garrison of Castleford, Idaho. She spent the early years of her life on a farm, where Linda experienced a dream-come-true childhood. She attended Castleford Elementary and Middle School until her father bought a farm in Buhl and moved the family there in 1965. She attended Buhl High School (class of 1969) and was active in Girls League, FBW, Thespians, Choir, and Music Festival. She went to college at Bethany University in Santa Cruz, CA, majoring in Music. There she met her husband, Bruce.

They were married on August 19, 1972. After college, she and Bruce began their ministry in Twin Falls, ID. From there, they went on to pastor in Eugene, OR; Portland, OR; Hanford, CA; Tulsa, OK; Carson City, NV; Chico, CA; and Hansen, ID. While at those locations, Linda led the choir, and in Chico she helped build and direct the all-city choir, “Singing Christmas Tree.” She also led women ministries and taught private voice and piano lessons. After returning to Twin Falls, she became Director/Instructor at the Magic Valley School of Performing Arts for a time. While there, she had the joyous pleasure of teaching the children and grandchildren of family friends that had been in her life from her early years. Music was always important to Linda.

She and her sisters began singing in a trio while in high school until it became a quartet with Uncle Mel. She wrote the scores, directed the others in the group, and always covered up their mistakes. She was a master at changing keys on the run. She would end the song with a dramatic flourish so the listeners would remember the ending of the song instead of the mistakes.

Linda loved playing her baby grand piano. She was able to play until the last seven months of her life. Even though she couldn’t play, she listened to piano recordings every day, finding peace and solace in them.

Linda is survived by Bruce Murray, her husband of 51 years; daughters, Melissa (Travis) Tolman of Twin Falls, and Molly (Ryan) Barrans of Portland, OR; sons Joey (Kendra) Murray of Mesa, AZ, and Billy Murray of Everett, WA; six grandchildren (Aidan, Delia, Liam, Maddox, Mason, and Makayla); three sisters (Christine Garrison, Arlene (Greg) Evans, Pam (Jay) Van Leuven); several nieces and nephews, and numerous other friends and family.

If you knew Linda, you know that Linda was music, all the time. She was generous, caring, devoted, hard-working, faithful in all things, loving, and many more attributes too numerous to list. She will be missed each day.

A memorial will be held Nov. 17, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at The Assembly of God Church (319 2nd Street East, Hansen, ID). A private family graveside service will follow at 1 pm at West End Cemetery (1574 E. 4150 N., Buhl, ID) * This is by invitation only. *

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