James Ray Murdaugh
Jim died at his home in Maple Valley on August 20, 2017. He was born March 13, 1953, in Covina, California to Alexander Earl and Beuna (Radke) Murdaugh. At the age of 3, the family moved to Washington onto a small orchard property in the Lower Naches Valley where he grew up.
He graduated from Naches High School in 1971, and later graduated from Perry Technical Institute. He worked for forklift repair and maintenance businesses in Yakima and later in the Puget Sound area after he moved to Kent. It was there he decided to go into business for himself.
After his business became established, he purchased a home in Maple Valley, where he resided until his death. He never married.
Jim loved the outdoors and spent as much time as he could camping in the mountains, always looking for the uncrowded spaces. If he wasn’t there, then he’d likely be out on a lake in his rowboat fishing.
Jim is survived by sisters Barbara (Murdaugh) Jones of Ellensburg; Sharon (Williams) Murray of Australia; Lynn (Williams) McKinnon of Touche; Wendy (Wright) Rushing of Gig Harbor; Stepmother Deanna (Cumming) Murdaugh; and best friend Diane Prechtl of Bellingham.
There will be no formal funeral services. A private family service will be held at a later date.
