Jerome K. Murray

Jerome K. Murray, 82, went to live with his Lord and Savior after a heart attack from complications of chemotherapy, Nov. 9, 2015.

He was well-known for his love of flying that had started around the young age of 5 at his ranch home in South Dakota. Many barn stormers had flown through the Midwest on their way to the coast. This really caught his attention and stayed with him.

Soon he said "goodbye' to his mother and father and the farm life so at age 16 got a car and drove by himself to California to pursue a career in flying. He went to school in the daytime, worked evenings, and hung out every available hour at Santa Monica Municipal Airport.

Jerome got a job flying for Conrad Hilton and several smaller companies. He eventually was hired on by Flying Tiger Line and was immediately drafted, ending up in Boston flying helicopters for the Army. After leaving the military, he returned to Flying Tiger Line flying the European Route, and Ireland; when Israel Airlines (El Al) needed pilots, he volunteered. Also, he flew into Vietnam under fire for many years.

He preferred the Orient Run for over 15 years, then the last 27 years as Capt. Murray (known as J.K.) on the 747 to Australia (he said the 747 was like landing a three story building). Fed Ex merged with Flying Tiger years later and he chose to move over. He wanted to still be able to continue flying.

When he retired, he was given two gold watches, each representing 25 years, from Flying Tiger Line/Fed Ex.

Jerry enjoyed his later years at his cattle ranch in Reliance, South Dakota and his businesses in Southern California.

He is survived by his wife Diane, 48 years married; son Edward of Fallbrook; daughter Laine of Rancho Santa Fe; five grandchildren and six step-grandchildren. He is laid to rest at San Luis Rey Mission.

He was known to say, "There is never a bad day at the

airport."