Joshua Blake Murray, 36, of Peach Orchard, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2022.  He was born in Paragould, Arkansas, on May 7, 1986, to Kerry Murray and Tracy Pillow.  He graduated from Paragould High School in 2004.  He married Megan Smith on December 4, 2010.  Josh always dreamed of becoming a firefighter and he fulfilled that dream, working for the Blytheville Fire Department, in 2015 he received the Firefighter of the Year award.  He later transferred over to the Blytheville Police Department where he received the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award in 2017.  He also worked for the Greene County Sheriff's Department, Clay County Sheriff's Department, and Pocahontas Police Department.  Josh enjoyed hunting in his spare time.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Lester Pillow and Bob Drope.

Josh is survived by his wife of 12 years, Megan Murray; children, Luke, Hadley, and Hudson Murray; parents, Tracy Pillow and Mike Hammond of Paragould, Kerry and Amber Murray of Paragould; in-laws, Mark and Carla Smith of Peach Orchard; brothers, Jake (Brittany) Murray, Chandler Inskeep (Sarah Beal) and Alex Murray (Callie Shavalia) all of Paragould; brother-in-law, Justin (Lavella) Smith of Nebraska; grandmothers, Carolyne Pillow and Anna Drope; grandparents, Charlie (Linda) Murray and Eddie (Kay) Inskeep all of Paragould; uncle, Scott (Joey) Pillow of Paragould; nieces and nephews, Zalie and Tripp Murray, Camdyn, Blakely and Kyson Inskeep, Karleigh, Leigha, and Benson Smith; a special aunt, Pat Pillow of Paragould; as well as a host of extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 20, from 11:00 a.m. until service time at Phillips Funeral Home.  The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home with Kevin Murray officiating.  Burial will follow at Greene County Memorial Gardens.

Jason Taylor, Brandon Carr, Brian Skelton, Zack Kent, Nicki Arnold, Michael Massey, and Chris Goode will serve as pallbearers.