1914
Murray
2008
Murray Songer
July 23, 1914 — December 31, 2008
Harlingen, TX:
Murray Songer passed to the next world on December 31, 2008.
Murray, the son of George and Willie (Roberts) Songer was born July 23, 1914 in Rosenberg, Texas. With the exception of the years 1941 to 1945, Murray spent his entire working career with the Southern Pacific Railroad in Houston, Beaumont, San Antonio, Brownsville, and Harlingen. He retired from SP in Harlingen as the district manager of South Texas and Northern Mexico.
Murray was active in Kiwanis as well as other civic and community organizations, coached Little League, and will also be remembered as an avid and accomplished sportsman. His legerdemain in pool and bowling is still spoken of in reverent tones throughout east and south Texas. He loved cycling and for years could be seen in the early hours around Harlingen riding his bicycle for health while smoking a cigar for enjoyment, and tossing the occasional firecracker or sounding an air-horn at dogs that sought to gnaw his ankles or otherwise impede his progress.
He served in the U.S. army during World War II, initially with the 41st Infantry Division in New Guinea and the invasion of the Philippines, then at the Army War College in Washington, D.C., and finally with the office of the Army’s Judge Advocate General. In the latter capacity he took part in the pre-trail deposition process that led to the prosecution of war criminals at Nuremburg (Germany) immediately after the war.
Discharged from the Army, he resumed his career with Southern Pacific in San Antonio, married Martha Caroline Moses there in 1948, and with her raised two sons, David and Tim.
His parents, George and Willie Songer and his sister, Cecil Gubbs predeceased Murray.
He is survived by wife, Martha; son, David and wife Maggie; son, Tim and wife Cristina and daughter, Francesca; granddaughter Kate Songer-Johnson and husband Bernard; great grandson Nuri Songer-Johnson, and great-granddaughter Lua Songer-Johnson.
Granddaughter Kate accurately described Grandpa Murray in saying “He was one of those people that are just good to the core…he was so fair and honest, and known for his integrity and how he treated others.” We will all miss him, but at the same time know that his progress from this world to the next is timely and that he will continue to be a shining light for all who knew and loved him.
Visitation hours will be held Saturday, January 3, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, January 5, 2009, 9:30 a.m., at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.
For those desiring to do so, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601-7633.
You are invited to sign the guestbook or leave a condolence at www.buck-ashcraft.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, Harlingen, Texas
Murray Songer passed to the next world on December 31, 2008.
Murray, the son of George and Willie (Roberts) Songer was born July 23, 1914 in Rosenberg, Texas. With the exception of the years 1941 to 1945, Murray spent his entire working career with the Southern Pacific Railroad in Houston, Beaumont, San Antonio, Brownsville, and Harlingen. He retired from SP in Harlingen as the district manager of South Texas and Northern Mexico.
Murray was active in Kiwanis as well as other civic and community organizations, coached Little League, and will also be remembered as an avid and accomplished sportsman. His legerdemain in pool and bowling is still spoken of in reverent tones throughout east and south Texas. He loved cycling and for years could be seen in the early hours around Harlingen riding his bicycle for health while smoking a cigar for enjoyment, and tossing the occasional firecracker or sounding an air-horn at dogs that sought to gnaw his ankles or otherwise impede his progress.
He served in the U.S. army during World War II, initially with the 41st Infantry Division in New Guinea and the invasion of the Philippines, then at the Army War College in Washington, D.C., and finally with the office of the Army’s Judge Advocate General. In the latter capacity he took part in the pre-trail deposition process that led to the prosecution of war criminals at Nuremburg (Germany) immediately after the war.
Discharged from the Army, he resumed his career with Southern Pacific in San Antonio, married Martha Caroline Moses there in 1948, and with her raised two sons, David and Tim.
His parents, George and Willie Songer and his sister, Cecil Gubbs predeceased Murray.
He is survived by wife, Martha; son, David and wife Maggie; son, Tim and wife Cristina and daughter, Francesca; granddaughter Kate Songer-Johnson and husband Bernard; great grandson Nuri Songer-Johnson, and great-granddaughter Lua Songer-Johnson.
Granddaughter Kate accurately described Grandpa Murray in saying “He was one of those people that are just good to the core…he was so fair and honest, and known for his integrity and how he treated others.” We will all miss him, but at the same time know that his progress from this world to the next is timely and that he will continue to be a shining light for all who knew and loved him.
Visitation hours will be held Saturday, January 3, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, January 5, 2009, 9:30 a.m., at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.
For those desiring to do so, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601-7633.
You are invited to sign the guestbook or leave a condolence at www.buck-ashcraft.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, Harlingen, Texas
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