DATE: Sunday, August 10, 1997               TAG: 9708100019
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: FRANKLIN                          LENGTH:   32 lines

JOHN A. MURRAY

Dr. John Alexander Murray, physician and civic leader, died Saturday, Aug. 9, 1997, in Southampton Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Murray was born April 29, 1920, in Richwood, W.Va., and attended public school there until moving to Washington, D.C. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II and served as pharmacist mate first class V-6 USNR. Following his discharge from the Navy, he graduated from Concord College, Athens, W.Va., West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va., and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.

Dr. Murray served Franklin for 27 years as a physician specializing in the care of children until his retirement in 1989. A civic leader, he served on the Franklin City Council for 14 years and was mayor from 1974 to 76. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served as its president in 1987; served as chairman of the board of directors of the Bank of Franklin; and was a member of the area health commission. Dr. Murray was very active in the High St. United Methodist Church and served on its board.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret A. Murray; two sons, John Alexander Murray Jr. and Michael Bruce Murray and his wife, Elizabeth; two daughters, Betty Ann Murray and Mary Jean Murray; grandson, Evan Alexander Murray; two sisters, Mrs. Stanley Jeranko and Mrs. Howard Deitz; sister-in-law, Mary C. Chandler; brother-in-law, Walton B. Caldwell Jr.

A funeral will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday in High St. United Methodist Church by the Rev. Edward Johnson and the Rev. Dr. Ira Hudgins. Burial will be in Poplar Spring Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a favorite charity. Wright Funeral Home is in charge. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu