A GoFundMe account has been established to assist with the burial costs of a Marshall man and his 7-year-old twins who died in a fatal car crash in Morris County.
Craig “Snaps” Murry Sr., CJ and Caylee died this past weekend.
“As most of you know (Saturday) night Nadia tragically lost Craig, CJ, and Caylee in a motor vehicle accident. We are absolutely devastated by their passing,” organizer Micah Woolsey, of Sulphur Springs, where the children attended first grade at Rowena Johnson Primary School, stated on the GoFundMe.
Woolsey noted all donations will be devoted to funeral expenses as arrangements are pending at this time.
“We are so very grateful for every donation during this difficult time,” the GoFundMe states. “If you are unable to contribute monetarily, please know that your continued prayers for Nadia and her family are greatly appreciated.”
The GoFundMe had raised more than $58,000, as of Thursday. The goal is $70,000.
According to the Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred around 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, when a GMC Yukon heading east on SH 49 in Morris County failed to drive in a single lane and struck two vehicles that were traveling west.
“The first vehicle struck had three occupants who were transported for medical treatment. The second vehicle struck also had three occupants,” DPS said the preliminary investigation shows. “Two were pronounced deceased on scene and the other succumb to their injuries later in the night after being transported.”
Occupants in the second vehicle hit were the Murry family. The fatal wreck has not only the Sulphur Springs community in mourning, but Marshall residents, too, as many remembered Murry Sr. for his kind heart and warm “million dollar smile.”
“I will give anything just to see this smile again!!” his sister, Carolyn Teena Else, wrote as she shared a sweet picture of his bright smile on Facebook.
Murry, a 1991 Marshall High School graduate, was an employee at Patterson Customs Car Audio and Truck Accessories in Marshall. The store welcomed all to leave a memorial in his memory at his reserved parking spot at the business at 302 S. Merzbacher St.
“Going to work will never be the same Craig Snaps Murry Sr.,” Michael Patterson wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday as he shared photos of the last install they did together last Friday. “You were not only my coworker and partner for 20 years. You were my brother and I will miss you and those kids forever. I will cherish that last Saturday we had for the rest of my life.”
Others expressed how glad they were to see him earlier that day with his children, enjoying Wiley University’s homecoming parade.
Suzie Mathews posted that this world has truly lost a light with the passing of Murry.
“It doesn’t even seem real. You will never find a man as genuine as him! He always knew what to say when you were down and how to make you laugh!” she said as she reminisced on the memories made at the shop with the rest of the crew.
Suzan Cook Harrison, Murry’s former government high school teacher, also recalled the great student he was.
“It never gets easier to lose a former student. Craig was a young man that I taught in U.S. government class (before becoming a counselor),” she shared. “He was funny, smart and well liked and respected by all. Praying for peace, comfort and love.”
Patterson told the News Messenger that Murry was not only his business partner but family.
“Everybody knew him as ‘Snaps’. We were definitely brothers,” Patterson said, reminiscing on the good times they would have not only working together at the shop but also on vacation with family and friends.
Patterson said Murry was a devoted father, who loved all of his children. He particularly remembers the day he came to the shop, proudly showing him a sonogram of the twins on his phone.
Patterson said the shop was full of family and customers who came on Monday to reminisce and honor his memory.
“I just wanted to have a place for everybody to come — all his friends and family members. It was good therapy day for everybody,” shared Patterson. “We laughed and cried.”
“He was a very well respected person,” said Patterson.
Patterson noted Murry’s presence was such a delight that he always drew a crowd of customers — from retirees to lawyers, doctors, law enforcement and all walks of life, who would come to the shop on their way to lunch or from work to visit and for service.
“There’s a circle of people every day sitting in chairs,” said Patterson. “If we had a minute, we would stop and go join them. People would say, ‘You don’t realize what y’all generated.’”
“The police chief from Ore City wouldn’t let anybody touch their vehicle but Craig. Neither would NFL football players and doctors in town, too,” Patterson fondly teased.
Patterson said Murry was definitely a friend he could depend on. He joined him at the shop 20 years ago, as his partner, during a time when he needed a helping hand the most. Patterson had just lost both of his parents within two years, at the time, and had just opened his stereo store in their home.
“I went on a quest to find someone. At my wits end, I pulled in his driveway one day. I made him an offer. We’ve been together ever since,” said Patterson. “I didn’t get an employee; I got a brother out of the deal. We spent every day together. We just became partners. I never said I was his boss. He ran the stereo shop and we met in the middle. The compliments over the years, and just the last three days I’ve received shows he was loved by so many people.”
“Everybody has a story about him for something at the shop or at the motorcycle rally,” said Patterson.
He said customers always raved about how nice and polite Murry was.
“They’d say, ‘Boy, does he have a good smile,’” Patterson reminisced.
Patterson said he’s sadden by his dear friend and partner’s loss, but will forever cherish the final memories he was able to make with Patterson and the twins on Saturday.
“My good thing is that Saturday he took my golf cart and went to the parade. I made sure I went there and got the video. I’m glad I got it,” said Patterson, who was affectionately known to the twins as “Uncle Mike.”
He said after the parade, they all met at the shop, shared grace and enjoyed a feast of chicken wings.
“He never ate a meal that he didn’t bow his head, saying a prayer,” shared Patterson.
Patterson said he was glad he was able to conclude the fun evening with some TV time and a few tickles with the twins.
“I’m glad I got that day,” he said. “I at least got that blessing. I didn’t realize three hours later they wouldn’t be here anymore.”
Others also remembered him for being a man of integrity and honor.
“He loved and lived for his family and his friends…Always there for anyone who called upon him at any given time!” Ashley Nelson wrote as she invited people to donate to the GoFundMe if God placed it on their heart. “Please continue to pray for his family and friends today and in the days to come!”
The GoFundMe can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-craig-cj-and-caylee.
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