On July 17, 1985, Taj Jaune McMurray pushed his way into this world bright and early at a quarter after midnight, roaring to go with his umbilical cord wrapped around his arm! Born to Lisanne Beth Greco and Thomas John McMurray Jr. Four years later, Nikki made him a big brother and three years after that, his other sister Jahnee showed up to reinforce the message. Then in 1996-1997, the entire family made the most important decision of their entire lives and accepted Jesus into their hearts and were baptized together in Phoenix, Arizona. Today, we are thankful that we can find peace in those life changing decisions.

As a child, Taj enjoyed dismantling things…. and sometimes putting them back together. He was exceptionally creative artistically and discovered what would become a lifelong gift when he locked himself in his bedroom one weekend and came out playing the guitar. He and his sisters immediately started their own short-lived band called Jade. Taj also had a penchant for customizing anything he could get his hands on from the interior of his car to the interior of his bathroom, as well as becoming a wiz in all things mechanical. And having grown up in a family that found joy in cooking, his talents also extended into the kitchen where he loved to experiment and could often be found pairing common foods with unexpected flavors.

Taj held a love for fishing that ran through the entire family generationally and he was always in search of the next good fishin’ spot by way of the next great adventure. This often led to enlisting family members to venture out to some remote place with him in the most unexpected and memorable of ways. He also thoroughly enjoyed the many hours spent running go-karts on the backroads with his brother in law, sisters and his nieces and nephews.

Truth be told, Taj was also a romantic at heart and gave great thought and effort into surprising those he loved with the perfect gift. But like most of us, he could also be prickly from time to time and did most assuredly succeed in ticking off everyone in his life on at least one occasion. It may have hindered a moment, but it never stopped us from loving one another.

Because life wasn’t always easy for Taj, a series of poor choices led to a nearly 13 year delay of his young adult life. When Taj emerged all the stronger and wiser, he picked up his life and ran into his future becoming a father for the first time at 35 years old when his son, Taylen was born and again at 40 when his daughter, Taleighya made her entrance into his world. Taj was always all about family and spent his spare time in the company of his, always seeking to make lasting memories with and for everyone around him.

But even the strongest among us can be overcome in a moment of darkness and despite all he had endured and overcome in life, and all we had endured and overcome with him, that moment for Taj came on June 19, 2026. And while our hearts will remain eternally broken at the lack of his daily presence in our lives, we take solace in knowing that God Himself received Taj’s spirit into His hands and we are ever so thankful that he is now reunited with those who were waiting to welcome him home.

Taj is preceded in death by his Dad, Thomas McMurray Jr., Grandma Christine Kuestner, Great Grandma Helen Weldon, Grandma Margie McMurray, Grandpa Tom McMurray Sr., Grandpa Bob Kuestner, Grandpa Ronnie Rosenberg, Uncle Mark McMurray, Uncle Scott Beels and Uncle Joe Greco.

He is survived by his 5 year old son Taylen Jaxson McMurray and his mother Shandy Hann, and his 3 ½ month old daughter Taleighya Jocelyn McMurray and her mother Danielle Woods all of Winfield, KS. His sister Nikole McMurray, husband Josh Wadlington, nephews Ezzrah, Lenyx, Zaden and niece Adrianna Wadlington; sister Jahnee McMurray and nieces Ava and Laecyn Sturchio all of Winfield, KS. Mother Lisanne Greco Gross and husband Harold Gross Jr. of Parsons, KS, Grandpa Kenneth Greco, Grandma Janet Greco both of FL, Aunt Kimmery Beels and family of MA, Aunt Sharon Sypherd and family of AZ, Patricia Fincher and family of KS, Uncle Steve Greco and family, Uncle Tim Greco and family, Uncle Paul Klotz and family all of NY., Uncle Craig Rosenberg, Aunt Melanie Rosenberg, Uncle Jules Rosenberg, and Uncle Randy Rosenberg all of FL.

A memorial service will be held in Taj’s honor at Miles Funeral Service of Winfield at 4001 E. 9th on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 1pm. Shayla Reliford will be presiding over the services.

A memorial has been established in Taj's name to defray funeral expenses.  Contributions may be made through the funeral home.