James M. Murray

James M. Murray, 63, died Sunday, May 13 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND with his family at his side.Jim was born August 27, 1943 in Osnabruck, ND to Lloyd and Ila Murray. He grew up in Fargo, ND and graduated from Central High School in 1961. In 1963, he joined the Air Force, serving with distinction as a communication specialist with the South Vietnam Ranger Battalion. Following his military service, Jim married January Juntunen and attended South Dakota State University. He worked during the summers as a local ranch hand. After graduating with a degree in journalism, he worked as a photojournalist for the Ree Heights Review and the Fargo Forum. In 1972, he edited publications for North Dakota State University.In the mid-seventies, he opened Wheelsports in Moorhead, MN and later was a partner in Travel Land. In 1976, he married Sue Sanders, the love of his life, in Merced, CA.In the early eighties, Jim began his career in advertising as creative director at the Promersberger Company. He later co-founded Downtown Design and then worked with a group of professionals to convert the Flame Tavern into a marketing collective called Marketplace. As the founder of James Murray Advertising, he worked as an account executive, copywriter and art director, creating award winning work for national and international clients.In 2006, Jim was awarded the Silver Medal award from the Fargo area AdFed association.Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, motorcycling, bicycling and canoeing with his friends and family. He proudly described himself as a bleeding-heart liberal. He was active in the community and served on the boards of Community Living Services and Concordia College Communiversity. Jim will be remembered for his generosity, sense of humor, kindness and integrity.He is survived by his wife, Sue Murray, Fargo, ND; son, Paul Sanders fianc? Mary Catlin, Minneapolis, MN; son, Michael Marnie Sanders, Minneapolis, MN; daughter, Leslie Robertazzi; granddaughter, Tiphanie Mata, Albuquerque, NM; sister, Glenda James, Smyrna, GA; in-laws Gary and Vicki Glant son Adam, Seattle, WA; in-laws Jim and Levy Scheltens, Anacortes, WA; mother-in-law Eileen Scheltens, Sacramento, CA.