Bucklin - Christopher Joseph Murray began his path from Heaven as a blessing to Bill (Joseph William) Murray and Regina Murray on July 19, 2001. He completed his journey back to Heaven on February 24, 2020 at the age of 18 years. Christopher arrived on time, but brought with him just a few health issues that would not only design his life but would also re-design the lives of his Mom and Dad and also those of his brothers, Nicholas and Josh, and sister, Amber and niece Karoline. Where many people would question what to do, Christopher's family just jumped in and said, "We love you."

Christopher was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsey. Shortly thereafter, Bill and Regina moved their four children back to Kansas, relocating in Bucklin. Christopher attended the Bucklin Elementary, Middle School and High School. He had always felt welcomed by the current graduating class of 2020.

With the numerous hurdles, Christopher was full of laughs and smiles. Just some of the memories that will fill the hearts of his family will last in their minds forever. Many of those memories will be held by his Aunts, Uncles and cousins as well. His favorite place to be was always HOME, lying in the center of the living room on his blanketed floor so that he didn't miss a thing that his brothers and sister were doing. The TV always going because Christopher loved lots of colors, moving visions. Believe it or not, this kid liked a variety of music including "Two Cellos" and techno music. Who would guess that he could get his Dad to like techno music. In fact, Bill would get up and get in front of Christopher and do the dance (we call it the wigglin' butt dance). That would always get Christopher laughing. He was a typical teenager with Mom. He enjoyed all foods but when he was done, he'd show Mom he was the boss by shaking his head no and even sometimes slapping the entire plate out of her hands onto the floor. Regina would gently say, "Christopher" and they would laugh together. But when it was time for lovin', he and Mom had many moments of hugs, smiles and just lying together. His second mom, Amber could soothe him with her touch and her voice. His brothers, Nicholas and Josh, are typical brothers - wrestling in the middle of the floor and included wrestling with Christopher as he was pounding the floor with his hand and screaming at the top of his lungs - he didn't care who won, he just wanted them to keep doing it. WWE was a favorite TV show. Again, a typical teenager who really enjoyed video games. Josh and Nicholas would take him to their room and he'd watch them crash cars and karate fight for hours. Of course some of Christopher's favorite people had been his Grandma and Grandpa Demuth. Grandma Weed, because of a stroke and also bound to a wheel chair, had a special bond and a way of communication with him. Christopher would be throwing a fit and Grandma Weed would start screaming in the same way just a bit louder than Christopher. That got his attention every time, and the family would just burst out laughing at the two of them. His eyes would always follow his little niece, Karoline. They had that baby to baby way of communicating yet the jealousy would raise its head when it came to the attention of Bill and Regina.

Outside of home, Christopher really enjoyed being around his school mates. A great elementary memory was the "Go Baby Go cart." He was able to push the buttons to make the cart move around the gym. On purpose, Christopher would make the cart hit the wall and just laugh until someone turned him around to go to the next wall. The night Christopher got to go to the high school bonfire was a moment in time that Mom will always cherish. He had a blast riding horses and riding on his cousin's pontoon boat and loved to go camping with his Dad. He would always focus on the movements of the trees and their leaves, and loved eating those roasted marshmallows. Of course, Mom had to clean that messy dessert off Christopher. The whole congregation at church can remember how Christopher was louder than Father Bob while he was walking down the aisle doing his sermon. Christopher loved to swim, he even would dunk his own head backwards letting the water cover his eyes yet never getting water in his nose and mouth. Of course that wasn't enough, he liked it when someone would push him totally under water.

2020 would be his graduating year and, indeed, it was a graduation into Heaven where he is now able to run, jump, speak, play, sing and dance by the side of Jesus.

Christopher is survived by his parents, William and Regina Murray; two brothers, Nicholas and Josh; a sister, Amber; niece, Karoline; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He is preceded in death by his grandparents.

Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Greensburg on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 10:30 AM with Rev. Ted Skalsky and Rev. Robert Schremmer presiding. A rosary will be held prior to the service at 9:45 AM at the church. There is no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the Dodge City Dioceses Seminarian Fund in care Swaim Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.