Robert John Murdock Ph.D

Robert John Murdock, 92, of Mesquite, Texas, dearly loved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, went home to be with the Lord on August 3, 2026.

Born in Mesa, Arizona, on February 4, 1934, to Lester and Maude Murdock, Robert was raised in Sulphur Springs, Texas, from the age of three. Robert lived a life marked by faith, service, and dedication to others. A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, his relationship with the Lord was the foundation of everything he did. A longtime deacon, singer, and Sunday School teacher in his church, Robert also served his country with distinction as an Air Force pilot. A proud graduate of Baylor University, Robert then earned a Masters and Ph.D. in Education from East Texas State University after leaving the Air Force. Dr. Murdock dedicated the remainder of his working years to education, retiring after 30 years with the Mesquite Independent School District.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, and by granddaughter-in-law Chelsey Pecina.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Linda Beckham Murdock; his older brother Jack Murdock and sister-in-law JoAnne of Dallas; two daughters, Becky Randall of Plano, Texas, and her husband Brad, and Cindy Pecina of Mesquite; six grandsons, Jordan Pecina, Jacob Pecina, Justin Pecina, and Jarek Pecina and his wife Pamela, all of Mesquite, Brandon Randall of Allen, Texas, and his wife Kaitlyn, and Benjamin Randall of Waco, Texas, and his wife Emily; three great-granddaughters, Presley, Stella and Abigail; and two great-grandsons, Luke and Dylan, with one more great-grandchild on the way.

The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church, located at 9810 La Prada Drive in Dallas, Texas, with visitation preceding the service at 9:00 a.m. A private burial with full military honors will follow at a later date at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In his final weeks here on Earth, Robert confided to family that the Lord had put this song on his heart:

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I am tired, I am weak, I am lone

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

Robert's family and friends rejoice that he is no longer "tired, weak, and lone," but is alive and well at home with his Savior, and we look forward to the day we are reunited with him in Glory.