James Murray

James Milton Murray 1925-2016 James Milton Murray, age 91 peacefully passed away on March 10, 2016 at his home in Point Clear, Alabama surrounded by family. Devoted husband of 61 years to Annelle Kitchen Murray; brother of Jody Murray Martin of California; uncle of Grant Spoon of Texas and Patricia A. Grajewski of Virginia. Formerly from Washington, DC, he was the son of Morris and Mary Murray (nee Petrany). His mother’s devout Catholicism was a guiding beacon throughout his life. “Jim" attended the University of Virginia and later American University where he earned his Undergraduate Degree and then his MBA. A WWII veteran, he was assigned to the Army Transportation Corp. and was stationed in the Pacific War Zone aboard the the USS Norab, a wartime conscripted yacht that was immortalized by General MacArthur as his personal floating headquarters in the Philippines. He functioned as the Ship’s 1st Mate. When She was converted into a troop evacuation ship, Jim did daily runs ferrying “100 wounded troops on stretchers and 70 walking wounded” away from the fierce fighting of the Japanese advance along the north coast of Papua, New Guinea. He always commented that Her shallow draft and high speed helped save many lives. After the War, Jim returned to the Washington area to finish his degrees. He used his Merchant Marine license to sign on to voyages between semesters to help pay his tuition. Jim later began his career in the emerging computing industry where he became an early pioneer in computer science modeling and logistics. The company he founded, James M. Murray & Associates, was instrumental in developing the concept of the “time sharing” of computing power (now “cloud computing”) purchasing largest and most powerful Remington Rand Univac computers that existed at that time. As well respected leader in the industry, Jim was instrumental in the founding of the National Space Club, a Government/Private Industry Association dedicated to recognizing the excellence in the U.S. Space Program. He served as the President of the Club from the earliest Mercury missions through the Apollo Moon landings. Working with the widow of space pioneer Robert H. Goddard, he was instrumental in the inaugural of the “Goddard Trophy,” the esteemed National Award that recognizes excellence in the U.S. Space Program. At annual White House ceremonies, Jim personally presented the Goddard Trophy to recipients President Johnson, John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, the Apollo 8 astronauts, the Apollo 11 astronauts. His business accomplishments were second to his devotion to his wife, Annelle Kitchen Murray. He met Annelle Kitchen early in his career while she working for the United States Congress. A graduate of Goucher College, Jim found her beauty, charm and knowledge of world events intriguing and a 61 year whirlwind romance commenced. World travellers, they were married in 1955 in the Bahamas with none other then the Governor of the Country signing their marriage license. Jim was a talented artist. He enjoyed painting large scale and bold abstracts. His home in Point Clear, Alabama is adorned with a lifetime of his art from “Flowers” painted at the famed Ellerslie Racecourse in New Zealand, to “Sailboats” inspired by the couple’s visits to Newport. Always a romantic, this past Valentine’s Day, Mr. Murray took out his brushes one final time. His final painting was truly a work of love. It was an art nouveau abstract portrait of the love of his life, Annelle, wearing her Valentine’s Day Hat. Jim was also a conservationist. In the 1970’s he worked with then Delaware Governor Pierre Dupont on a large scale erosion control project protecting Delaware’s Atlantic Beaches. This work successfully saved these beaches for now over 50 years and is a model for erosion control for the entire Mid-Atlantic Region. Jim was extremely proud of the fact that he was one of the longest term members of the Congressional Country Club having joined in 1960. A memorial service was held on Monday March 13, at the Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Fairhope, Alabama. He was interred at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO ROAD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251)990-7775