Murray Wells Deming: Bible Boy (Murray)

Nine years into the 20th century Murray Wells Deming, was born on November 11, in Broken Bow, Nebraska, and spent his early years on a ranch in the Nebraska Sand Hills. The aftermath of World War I took its toll. Cattle bought for $100. per head sold for $30. We lost the ranch to the bank and the bank with other losses folded. Near panic swept that part of the country. We loaded up the old Ford and headed for Michigan.

He began high school in Berrien Springs, spent a year in the Niles school system, and graduated from Buchanan High School in 1927. During this time he felt the call of the Lord and dedicated his life to Him and was baptized, along with his mother. High school ended with graduation from Buchanan High School in 1927. He spent a year working in a basket
factory, but at the urging of his father,in the fall of 1928 he began four years of work study, and yes, some play, at Emmanuel Missionary College, now Andrews University.

At the age of 20, a lovely young woman entered his life. Dorothy Regina Hanson was born to Captain Alfred and Laura Hanson on February 21, 1912 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Captain Hanson served in the U.S. Coast Guard Services as a lighthouse keeper. When a girl of 12 years, she and her family united with the Seventh-day Adventist church while living in Escanaba, Michigan. She was baptized by Elder A.L. Beazley. After completing the 8th grade in public school, the family arranged for Dorothy and her brother Harold to attend Wisconsin Academy, in Arpin. They both graduated from this Adventist school. She was 15. In the fall of 1928, Dorothy enrolled at Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) where she completed a four-year college course majoring in chemistry and home economics. Eager for an education, she met her college expenses by selling religious magazines and books during the summer and was employed during the school term in various departments at the college. During Dorothy’s last summer of book sales in 1931— the heart of the depression — she and one other student were the only ones to earn full scholarships.

After graduation in May 1932, Dorothy and Murray were married, and in September of that year they began a self-supporting ministry in the little parish of Elwood, Indiana.
At the close of that summer a call to southern Indiana marked the beginning of a work that continued for 10 years. Ordained in 1936, the pace stepped up for the family-the years came and went. The family now included five girls and one son and in Hammond and Gary they completed eleven years of ministry in Indiana.

In February of 1943 a call came to leave Hoosierland and venture into the unknown Sooner State. Two years in Oklahoma City with more evangelism, radio work, a second son and then a transfer to Tulsa. The five years in Tulsa were great ones for the whole family in the big, rambling three-story house at 916 North Denver Street.

In the fall of 1950, Dorothy and Murray, with their children, left Tulsa. Back to Nebraska! A homecoming for Murray. What a challenge! What a privilege! Here in old College View where another generation of Demings had walked and talked and worshiped. To be the pastor of such a dynamic, wonderful congregation. Fourteen years in this extraordinary place all
added up to a satisfying total to be concluded in January 1964 when the Demings again responded to a call.

Time marches on with new calls and new responsibilities – this time to Kettering, Ohio, to lead out in the organization of a new congregation that was formed with the building of Kettering Memorial Hospital. Dorothy immediately went to work helping to develop the kindergarten, primary and junior Sabbath schools. One of her special ministries was the story hour she conducted for the Kettering Hospital pediatric unit.

Following eight years in Kettering, the final four featured a unique ministry to the multi-racial congregation in Oakland, California. The years passed quickly in Oakland, and now the time had come to shift pastoral responsibilities to younger shoulders.

So, in 1976, Murray retired from active ministry, and he and Dorothy purchased their first home in Roseville, California, where we were warmly welcomed into the fellowship of that congregation. But retirement wasn’t Dorothy’s style and soon she was helping with the children’s divisions of the Roseville Church and leading out in Vacation Bible School. During her
last illness one member wrote, "What will Vacation Bible School be without you." At home in Roseville there was time for long walks, more quiet times at home, time to watch the extended family develop and grow in numbers., and relax at the little mountain home in Tennessee, a place of tranquil beauty they traveled to almost every year for 15 summers.

After a six-year battle with cancer, Dorothy passed away in Green Valley, Arizona, on May 30, 1998, the 66th anniversary of our wedding. In tribute Murray wrote, "There is a great empty place left on earth where she lived a full, happy life — generous with her love, her kindness, her possessions, her time, her energy."

Surrounded with the loving interest and care of his large family and a host of friends, Murray's life continued to abound with the strength and courage that comes from daily seeking God’s guidance. For the next nearly ten years he faced with strong faith and confidence, ever mindful that his hope, yes, the hope of the world lay solely in the second coming of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

After leaving Roseville, for four years Murray made his home with daughter and husband, Charlene and Richard Scott, in McDonald, Tennessee and attended the Collegedale Church. In declining health, he spent the last three months of life in the care of daughter and husband, Corinne and Curtis King in Green Valley, Arizona, until his death on November 27, 2007.

He was buried alongside his wife in the College View (Nebraska) Cemetery on December 9, 2007.

Until the trumpet sounds, sleep well, faithful warrior and your bride, sleep well.

Murray Wells Deming

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Bible Boy (Murray)

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