Murray Sr.
dead at age 81
Roger Murray Sr., 81, one of three brothers who dominated area politics for decades until the mid-'60s, died today at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital after a long illness.
Services for Mr. Murray will be at 5 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jack Henton and the Rev. Morton Waller officiating. Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery with George A. Smith and Sons' Main Street Chapel in charge.
He was born in Madison County, the son of the late Thomas J. and Rosa Pope Murray.
Mr. Murray attended the U. S. Naval Academy, University of the South at Sewanee and earned his law degree from Cumberland College Law School in Lebanon.
He practiced law almost 50 years before retiring in 1973.
A World War I Navy veteran, Mr. Murray was a member of St.
Luke's Episcopal Church, the Men's Bible Class at First United Methodist, Jackson-Madison County Bar Association, Alumni of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Masonic Lodge No. 45 and Al Chymia Temple of Shrine.
Although he never sought public office himself, his family has been active in politics. His brother Tom served for 24 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Another brother, David, served as state District Attorney General for Madison County for more than 40 years.
Roger Murray Jr. served six years in the Tennessee House of Representatives before launching an unsuccessful race for the Democratic nomination for governor in 1978.
"He (the senior Murray) was the man who held down the home base" for his brothers, said Whit LaFon, a Jackson attorney associated with the Murrays in their political ventures.
"They had a lot of friends and they did favors for people. Their machine was built on service." LaFon continued.
Both LaFon and Russell Rice Sr.. another local attorney, said Mr. Murray emphasized service to the less-fortunate citizens of the area. "He was unique in that his service was so valuable to many people who might not otherwise have received that service," Rice said.
The Jackson Sun
Jackson, Tennessee
Thursday, August 09, 1979
Murray Sr.
dead at age 81
Roger Murray Sr., 81, one of three brothers who dominated area politics for decades until the mid-'60s, died today at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital after a long illness.
Services for Mr. Murray will be at 5 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jack Henton and the Rev. Morton Waller officiating. Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery with George A. Smith and Sons' Main Street Chapel in charge.
He was born in Madison County, the son of the late Thomas J. and Rosa Pope Murray.
Mr. Murray attended the U. S. Naval Academy, University of the South at Sewanee and earned his law degree from Cumberland College Law School in Lebanon.
He practiced law almost 50 years before retiring in 1973.
A World War I Navy veteran, Mr. Murray was a member of St.
Luke's Episcopal Church, the Men's Bible Class at First United Methodist, Jackson-Madison County Bar Association, Alumni of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Masonic Lodge No. 45 and Al Chymia Temple of Shrine.
Although he never sought public office himself, his family has been active in politics. His brother Tom served for 24 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Another brother, David, served as state District Attorney General for Madison County for more than 40 years.
Roger Murray Jr. served six years in the Tennessee House of Representatives before launching an unsuccessful race for the Democratic nomination for governor in 1978.
"He (the senior Murray) was the man who held down the home base" for his brothers, said Whit LaFon, a Jackson attorney associated with the Murrays in their political ventures.
"They had a lot of friends and they did favors for people. Their machine was built on service." LaFon continued.
Both LaFon and Russell Rice Sr.. another local attorney, said Mr. Murray emphasized service to the less-fortunate citizens of the area. "He was unique in that his service was so valuable to many people who might not otherwise have received that service," Rice said.
The Jackson Sun
Jackson, Tennessee
Thursday, August 09, 1979
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