Saturday May 16, 2015
Memorial & Honors - US Air Force Vietnam Veteran, Capt Stephen E. Murdock , Fall River Mills, CA

On a cool, clear and partly cloudy Springtime day, Patriot Guard Riders having been invited by the family of 17 year US Air Force Vietnam Veteran Capt. Stephhen E. Murdock took place at 1100 hrs, at the Veterans Memorial Hall and Park, Long St. and Hwy 299, Fall River Mills, CA. A total of 14 PGR showed up for Flag Line and to pay Tribute, Military Honors and Respect.

Full military services were held in the park and then moved into the Vets Hall for the eulogy, video presentation and a light lunch. Three active AF personnel folded and presented the colors to the widow. Prayers were offered by Post 369 Chaplain. Post 369 provided the rifle squad. American Legion did the rifle salute. Sheriff and CHP assisted in traffic control on Hyway, etc.

At this time I would like to thank all those who participated...
They include:

VFW Post 369
Redding PGR
Susanville PGR
Westwood PGR

Thank you Capt. Stephhen E. Murdock for your service to our country..
Your Mission is complete..
Rest in Peace...

RC: Blake - "Burnout"
Email: blake@norcalpgr.org


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Stephen E. Murdock born December 31, 1940 in Salem Oregon, Steve attended Mountain View School, loved exploring the outdoors and knew every hidden treasure and secret hideout of the Willamette Valley. He was known to cycle 50 miles in one day to discover new places.

Steve was a competitive swimmer and took 1st place in 100 M freestyle and 2nd place for 200 M freestyle YMCA Oregon championship. He attended Willamette university in Salem and was a brother in the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Steve started his military training in July 1963 with basic training and completed his Navigation training Academy at Lackland Air Force Base in 1965. From 1966-1968 he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command KC 135 refueling support for B52/fighter aircraft including deployment to support the USS Pueblo intelligence vessel. He continued tours of duty taking him to Japan, the Philippines, Alaska, and Thailand in support of the Vietnam War efforts until 1970.

Steve married Victoria Geyer in 1967 and their daughter, Theresa was born in 1968.

In 1970 Steve took a 1 year hiatus from active duty (however still on Reserve status) and enrolled at Portland State to earn his BA Degree in Psychology. He returned to active duty in 1971 when he was assigned to the Military Air Command for the C 141’s Tactile Airlift Operations Strategic Long Range Support.

In 1972 Steve trained for special operations AC 119 Gunship Training and during a 1-year deployment to Thailand and Vietnam provided strategic low flying missions to support military ground operations. He then returned to flying C 141’s in 1973 to continue long range support for missions in Southeast Asia and other countries.

From 1973-1975 Steve was assigned to Inserlick Air Force Base in Adana, Turkey for a classified assignment, and in 1975 completed his service as a Captain at Travis AFB in California. He was awarded numerous decorations in recognition of his achievements including 10 time Air medal recipient, Air force Commendation Medal, four time Outstanding Unit Award, among many others.

While stationed at Travis Air Forde Base, Steve met and fell in love with Whitney Sutherland Murdock, his wife and best friend for nearly 40 years.

After leaving the Air Force, Steve began his new career as a Computer Specialist, working for Boeing Aerospace and Flight Safety on the Flight Simulators at Travis Air Force Base.

In 2007 Steve and Whitney moved to Fall River Mills. Although Steve’s dream was to spend his retirement making Golf Clubs, word got around that he was a computer specialist and he ended up helping many people with their computer challenges. He was elected Sergeant/Secretary of the Fall River Citizen Volunteer Patrol, 2nd Vice Commander for the American Legion Post 369, was a member of the Eastern Shasta County Sheriff’s Flying Posse, the Tea Party and was the Chairman of the Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC).

Steve is survived by his wife, Whitney Murdock, his daughter Dr. Theresa Murdock-Vlautin and her husband Chris Vlautin, his granddaughter Ella, his brother and sister in law, Fred and Michael Murdock, his brother and sister in law Scott and Beth Murdock, his sister, Margaret Murdock and her husband Bob Serack, nephews and nieces Iris Murdock, Bill Murdock, Gabe Petal, Jessie Petal, Sara Idle Reed, David Miller, Jed Murdock and Hannah Howard.