Ben Joseph "Joe" Murdock, age 89, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2009 at home in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, with his loving wife, Doris, and his beloved dog, Amy. Joe was born December 14, 1919, in Atlanta, GA, to Robertus W. Murdock and Ruth Murphy Murdock, with an older sister, Sarah Murdock Henry and a younger sister, Beverly Murdock Mead.

Joe came from a family proudly involved with American railroads, was educated as an electrical engineer, and had a distinguished career both with the FBI and the private aerospace engineering industry.

Joe served during World War II in the U.S. Army and was an avid amateur radio operator. His other hobbies included woodworking, fixing up bicycles, and frequenting donut shops and yard sales - he loved and lived life to its fullest.

Joe was married on July 2, 1946 with Sara Frances DuBose Murdock, who predeceased him on July 9, 1997, and with whom he was married 51 years and raised a family of four children. Joe married Doris Walker on October 18, 2005, who was his loving partner during his later life. Joe is survived by his wife, Doris Murdock; his children, Jim Murdock (and wife Luci), Caryn Murdock, Sandra Murdock (and husband David Levin), and Joe Murdock (and partner Jane Tyroler); his step-children, Timothy Hawkins (and wife Hilda), Paul Hawkins (and wife Charlene), Susan Finale (and husband Robert), and April Sumi (and husband Jeff); his grandchildren, Michael Shane Thompson (and wife Jennifer), Shay Tyroler-Resivo, Jessica Hawkins, Esther Bowman (and husband Paul), Anna, Nicholas, and Peter Levin, Alison Murdock; his step-grandchildren Karen, Kathy, Kyra, and Michaela Hawkins, Kayla and Nathan Finale; his great grandchildren, Hunter and Dakota Thompson; his grandniece, Abby Levin; his godchildren, James, Daisy, and Lydia Chow; and his dog, Amy Murdock.

Joe lived a long and wonderful life. He was loved and will be missed by us all.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. August 30, 2009, at Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Road in Rio Rancho.
Please visit our online guest book for Joe at RememberTheirStory.com French 9300 Golf Course Rd. NW (505) 897-0300

Published on: Sun August 09, 2009