Jessie Murdock

Jessie Lafayette Murdock, Jr., 86 of Forreston, Texas passed away Sunday, May 13, 2012 in Italy, Texas. He was born on July 12, 1925 in Dallas, Texas to Ellen Gertrude and J. L. Murdock, Sr.; he lived in Ellis County until 1942 and then moved to Littlefield, Texas. J.L. graduated from Littlefield High School in 1944. After high school he enlisted into the Army Air Force and received his basic training in Harlingen, Texas and was deployed to the South Pacific. J. L. was a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator where he and his crew flew the "Jolly Roger". During his time of service J.L. flew 37 missions for a total of 371 combat hours. J. L. was a member of the 90th bomb group 400th Squadron. J.L. was honorably discharged in November 1945 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his service to our country J. L. Was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, Air Medal 664, and the World War II Victory Medal. After the war ended J. L. enrolled in Texas Tech University and he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1951 while majoring in Agronomy and Farm Machinery. Soon after his graduation J. L. Moved to Deming, New Mexico and began his career in farming. J. L. lived in Deming until 2009. In the summer of 2009 he moved back to the Ellis County area to live with his sister Virginia Chenault. J. L. was diagnosed with cancer in late 2011. He fought a difficult battle until the end. J.L. is survived by his sisters Virginia Chenault, Peggy Ann Cavazos and her husband Larry, Betty Turnbow and her husband Royce and his brother in law Carl Ince. J.L. also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends in Deming, New Mexico. J. L. was preceded in death by his mother Gertrude, his father J. L. Murdock, Sr., and his sister Naomi Ince. Services to celebrate his life are scheduled for 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Pat Boze Memorial Chapel of Wayne Boze Funeral Home with Rev. James McWhorter and Rev. Lynn Fontenot officiating. Interment will follow at the Forreston Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at Wayne Boze Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie.

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