12/03/13 jim murray tribute - st john's drive, newhalljim murray tribute - st john's drive, newhallChildren: Kyle and Charlie-MayA 24-YEAR-OLD father-of-two who was found dead in bed by his mother has been described by his family as their ‘loveable rogue’.
Jim Murray, of St John’s Drive, Newhall, died at home on Sunday afternoon despite frantic efforts from his family to wake him.
Mr Murray, originally from New Cumnock, near Glasgow, first came to the Newhall to celebrate his 15th birthday with family in the area.
“But he fell in love with a girl and never left,” his grandmother, Mary Logan said.
He later met Samantha Bannister, mother to his two children, Kyle, 7, and four-year-old daughter Charlie-May.
His grandmother, who he affectionately called ‘Mary Doll, said: “I believe Sam was the love of his life. They were together eight years and she loved him to bits.”
Mrs Logan is currently in Newhall, having travelled down from Scotland to be with Jim’s devastated mother, Lyn.
Lyn said: “Apart from his children, his first love was football. He supported Glasgow Rangers, Scotland and Chelsea. He used to play when he was younger but liked watching - he was a coach potato.”
His grandma added: “One of my favourite memories of him was when he was a mascot for Glenafton Athletic and they won the Scottish Junior Cup and it is the only time they won it. I remember putting him to sleep in his football strip. He opened his eyes and said ‘this has been the best day of my whole life’, and he was only four.”
Jim wasn’t able to work properly due to his erratic moods caused by bipolar, but his mother joked: “His first job was fitting handles to handbags but he found it so boring and lasted just a day.”
Talking about his children, Lyn said: “He said Kyle was his heartbeat and Charlie-May was his princess.
“Kyle totally understands what has happened and he just collapsed. He rang me saying please put my dad on the phone and I had to say I was so sorry but this time I can’t.
“Jim was so kind, a right cheeky chappy, a loveable rogue. He was always willing to help anyone and even last week he took someone off the streets to stay with him for a few nights. I also suffer from bipolar, so ever since he was a small boy he looked after me.”
His grandmother added: “Last week, he phoned me to say he had a new girlfriend, and just told me life was great.
“Life will never be the same. It makes me appreciate my grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
The family do not know how he died but said they are glad he was at home.
Jim be cremated here and his ashes will be scattered in Scotland with his great grandma and grandpa.
