.Walter Joseph Murawski was born in Portland, Oregon on December 2, 1939 to Maybelle Woolley and Joseph Edward Murawski. He peacefully passed on to be with our Lord on September 26th, 2016 in the loving care of Grace Place in Estacada, Oregon.
He is survived by his brothers David Murawski and Stephen Murawski, his wife Kathryn Myers Murawski and his children: Jo Ann and husband Rich Grubb, Daniel and wife Shannon Murawski, Donna and husband Erik Linvog, Jolene and husband David Knight, Lisa and husband Shain Pearse, Christine and fiancé David Vesper, Sara Murawski, and Ronald Myers. His grandchildren: Andrew and wife Kalie Grubb, Jonathan, Madeleine, and Zachary Grubb; Ronan Murawski; Annelis and Mette Voldengen, Leif, Marla and Kohl Linvog; Rebecca and Jacqueline Knight, Timothy, Matthew, Christopher and Emily Pearse, Roxanne Murawski, Isaiah Campbell, Tayten Campbell and Keagan Vesper; and Elijah Myers.
Walter grew up in Portland, Oregon with his parents and brothers: J. Edward, David and Stephen in a flat above his father’s business Murawski, Inc, a distributor of industrial supplies and equipment. During his childhood, he contracted polio, just before the vaccine was released for distribution. He suffered partial paralysis of his right arm as a long-term sequela.
He attended Immaculate Heart Catholic Grade School and then graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1958. In the fall, Walter joined the United States Air Force and worked as a cartographer (mapmaker). He enjoyed being stationed overseas and spoke of many adventures he had with his buddies there. When he returned to the states he studied accounting at Portland State University with the plan to support his father’s business. Although he worked many years with his father, and then with his brother growing the family business, his true passion was in the arts. It was no surprise that his favorite job was drafting. He is remembered as the guy who was always looking for a new adventure or enterprise.
He married Dolores Josephine Pelster June 3rd, 1967 in North Plains at St. Edward Catholic Church. Together they worked hard and had 7 children, supporting all 7 through the Catholic School system. He was an immensely proud father with a big heart, opening his home to other children along the way.
He enjoyed painting, sketching, calligraphy and in his last years, making rosaries. His attention to detail was impressive. He was a talented musician, playing the trumpet and later the guitar. He encouraged all of his children to learn an instrument and to develop their creative side. He also loved the outdoors. His favorite place to take his kids was either up to the mountain to go downhill skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer, to the Oregon Coast, preferably Rockaway Beach or sailing on Henry Hagg Lake. He knew how to be present and enjoy the moment.
He was very active in the Catholic Church and his community with the Knights of Columbus, and with the Optimist Club of Beaverton. In his retirement years, he moved up to Mt. Hood and married Kathryn Myers on April 13th, 2002. He had a strong faith in God and was quick to share his Miracle of the Sun, should you be willing to listen. He prayed often and always let his loved ones know he was praying for them. In his last years, he looked forward to the day he would be in heaven with the faith that his loved ones would someday join him there.