Gordon Stuart Murray

Gordon Stuart Murray, 71, passed away on April 29, 2026, at Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care in Santa Cruz, California, due to complications from Type 2 Diabetes. He had moved there in November 2025 from his longtime home in San Diego.

Gordon was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico, in 1954. In 1964, his family relocated to Manteca, California, when his father accepted a new job in Stockton. Four years later, the family moved to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, where his father worked at the water desalination plant. Gordon was active in Scouting and became the first to earn Eagle Scout on the base with his project designing and publishing a guide for activities for young people on the base. He graduated from W.T. Sampson High School in Guantanamo Bay in 1972 before returning to California to attend Fresno State College, where he studied journalism. In 1973, he transferred to San Diego State University where he became editor of the student newspaper the Daily Aztec.

Gordon continued his journalism career at The Vista Press and later spent 40 years at the San Diego Union-Tribune where he rose to A1 page designer. He received several awards for his design work at the paper.

San Diego was truly home to him. He loved the sunshine, riding his bike around Mission Bay, playing tennis and poker with friends, attending Padres games, and going to concerts. Even after retiring, Gordon continued doing what he loved by working part-time for San Diego City News Service.

He is survived by his brothers Stephen; Christopher and his wife Suzanne, along with Christopher’s children, Galen and Leanne, Galen’s wife Melissa, and their son Callan; Alan and his wife Peggy, along with their children Brandon, Beth, and Haley; and his sister Carolyn and her husband Mark Otis.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte and Jack Murray.

Over the years, Gordon built many lasting friendships and cherished relationships with neighbors and friends, including Sheryl, Sharon, and Susan. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

God bless you, Gordon. May you rest in peace.