Derek William Murray
July 24, 1973 ~ October 14, 2025
Born in:
Waltham, MA
Resided in:
Fairfax Station, VA
Retired CH (LTC) Derek Murray passed away unexpectedly on October 14, 2025. Derek was born on July 24, 1973 in Waltham, Massachusetts to Leon and Gladys Murray. The family moved to Plymouth, MA in 1975 and then to North Berwick Maine in 1978.
Derek was a family man, married to Sarah (Adams) Murray) for nearly 30 years. They have four children, Sumner and his wife Nash, Annabelle Stoner and her husband Tim, daughter Lucy and son Marcus. He also has two wonderful grandsons, Teddy (Theodore) and Kieran Stoner. He truly loved every individual in his family. In recent years you would never see Derek without his beloved and loyal dog Clara.
Other family members include his older brother David who passed away in 2015, David’s wife Sonia and their children David, Andrea and Joshua; his sister Susan Lyle, husband Dan and children Malia and Eleck; brother Forrest and future wife Gabbi and youngest sister Sylvia Anne.
He went to elementary school in North Berwick and graduated from Southeastern New Hampshire Christian Academy in 1992 with high honors. Derek became a Christian at a young age due to the influence of the people at Second Baptist Church in Lebanon where he and his family were very active. Everything he did was affected by his strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. After high school he attended Baptist Bible College in Pennsylvania and the University of Southern Maine. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Divinity from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He later earned a Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University in Virginia.
In 2003 Derek entered the US Army as a 1st Lieutenant and chaplain. He completed Airborne training and Ranger School before he deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division to Iraq. He then served with the 2nd Ranger Battalion, Ranger Training Brigade (Elgin AFB, Florida) and the 75th Ranger Regiment as well as assignments at Ft. Belvoir, Ft. Myer, the Pentagon, Ft. Stewart, GA, Hunter Army Airfield, GA and the National Geospatial Agency (NGA). He retired from the US Army in January 2023.
Derek’s “hobby of passion” was automobiles of any age, condition or style. He bought, repaired, restored, reconditioned and modified too many vehicles to mention. It has been said that he had motor oil running through his veins like his grandfather.
A memorial service will be held next Sunday, October 26, 2:00pm at Christ Church, 7600 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039. Another service in Maine and burial at the Southern Maine Veteran’s cemetery in Springvale will be held at a later date.
Services
Memorial Service: October 26, 2025 2:00 pm
Christ Church
7600 Ox Road
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
(703) 425-3580
https://www.christchurchva.org/
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Sending love to all who Derek loved and loved him. I have only fond memories of him, mostly as a young husband and father determined to support and serve his family. He was the epitome of strength and grace all at once.
Mr. Charles, Hunter Chapel, DRE
Chaplin Murray allowed me to serve as a civilian chaplain at Hunter AFB Georgia. He was a pleasure to serve with. May God Bless him and his family.
Derek and I served together at the Pentagon. A true man of God, a brother in Christ, and a dear friend. May the Lord bless and comfort Sarah and the family. We love and miss you, brother. Looking forward to the day when we’re reunited in our Lord’s presence.
I served with Derek at Fort Benning and deployed with him with the third interview division and true form he did love vehicles doom buggy Mustang GT Dooley Chevy. He did love his vehicles and he was a very fast runner. I haven’t seen him for 20 years, but I still miss him today Chaplain Chris Offen
I can’t put into words how much Chaplain Murray meant to my family during a tough time we faced. He was always there for his teammates and their families in the squadron, showing such empathy, love, and grace — and a rare openness that touched everyone around him. Thank you, mate.
I knew Derek a long time ago, at North Lebanon 2nd Baptist Church. We both went to church there and I taught
him in Awana. He was a young enthusiastic boy full of life. I use to take him for rides in my 1980 Z28, yep he loved cars. I will miss him, but I will see again. Amen.