To Lightfoot 'Jerry' Murray life was a celebration

SANDUSKY — Lightfoot Murray, formerly known as Jerry, heard a different drummer. His lifestyle was unique and he had little regard to what is considered standard and customary."In the end, there were no things in my brother's life," Dennis Murray Sr. said "He had the happiest life of all of us.""He enjoyed a part of life few go after," his nephew Charles Murray said.Lightfoot died last week.Between his birth and death, he made a difference in many lives, while living life exactly as he chose.Jerry graduated from John Carroll University and Boston College School of Law where he received his law degree in 1965.After graduating, Jerry served in the the U.S. Army. Stationed in Vietnam at the height of the conflict, he was a captain in charge of dangerous missions to rescue the wounded and those taken prisoner of war, his family said. "He made me swear not to tell our parents. He wanted us to tell them he was in Korea," Murray Sr. said.In the midst of chaos and war, Murray sought out inspiring moments — learning the language and interacting with local children.Murray made it home to his parents. He went to work and became a partner in the family law firm, Murray and Murray.Years later, Jerry decided to focus on criminal law and opened an office in the Sandusky Mall."He was a great advocate in court," Murray Sr. said. "He would focus on a narrow issue of what was important to his client. A judge or other attorneys didn't rattle him," Charlie Murray said. "He was respected for his acumen."About halfway through his life, Jerry changed his name. "One day I was talking to him. I called him Jerry and he said, 'No. Call me Lightfoot. I changed my name.' He was Lightfoot from that day on," Murray Sr. said.His new name represented his fundamental outlook on life. "He consumed little," Charles Murray said. "He enjoyed his natural side."Lightfoot was an environmentalist before it was a modern movement. He did not waste power heating anything he didn't have to, including the pool in his home when he lived on the Cedar Point Chaussee. He was adamantly against environmental tampering, such as chlorinating water.Lightfoot got rid of his car. He soon became known as the attorney who roller skated or bicycled everywhere — his suit in his backpack.He even sued Norwalk to dismiss a $25 fine he received and change the community local ordinance regarding skating"He was into natural foods and a natural lifestyle before people knew about it and before it was cool," Charles Murray said.Lightfoot had a simple life, but it provided everything he needed. He had more than enough to do what he wanted to do, such as traveling the United States."He chose the road less traveled and he was the happier for it," Charles Murray said. Lightfoot Murray and one of his whacky hats he liked to wear.Lightfoot Murray on one of his bicycle excursions.