Garland Bryant Murray

GREENSBORO — Garland Bryant Murray died Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Moses Cone Hospital.

Mr. Murray retired from the local American Red Cross as CEO in 1986 after 39 years of service. He was known to many as "Mr. Red Cross" or "Mr. Swimming."

He graduated from Rankin High School then attended Guilford College for two years before transferring to Springfield College in Springfield Massachusetts and graduating with a degree in Physical Education.

Mr. Murray graduated from Columbia University Naval Academy in New York with the rank of Lieutenant. During WWII they were called the Ninety-Day Wonders. He served on the USS Yard MineSweeper before assignment to the Sitkoh Bay Aircraft Carrier. Mr. Murray's brother, Lt. Howard Leroy Murray, died in WWII at sea when a squadron of six PT boats was attacked by Japanese bombers while returning from a successful mission, where three boats were lost including the one Howard was on. His body was never recovered. Howard will have a memorial tribute during Garland's service. Howard's memorial grave lives in the Veterans' section at Lakeview Memorial Park beside his parents. He is listed on the Veterans' Memorial Wall in Lakeview Memorial Park. His family received a Purple Heart.

Mr. Murray received numerous accolades during his life time, but the highest achievement was his children.

Mr. Murray was preceded in death by infant brother and sister; parents Alfred Murray and Lizzie Bryant Murray; brother, Lt. Howard Leroy Murray; daughter Jane Howard Murray; and wife Elizabeth Cassidey Murray.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnne Lee Murray, daughter: Judy Roberts (Steve) of Matthews; son David Garland Murray (Kim) of Austin, Texas; daughter Lisa Thorburn (Buddy) of Thomasville, son Daniel Bryant Murray (Danielle) of Charlotte; grandchildren, Stephanie Roberts Cutshall (Barry) of Ft. Mill, SC; Mark Roberts (Heather) of Lake Wylie, SC, Margaret and Caroline Murray of Austin Texas, Matthew Bryant, Rebekah, Aleah, Abbie, Emma and Hannah Thorburn and Aidan Murray of Charlotte.

Great grandchildren: Olivia and Mason Cutshall, Cody Sebastian, Maddox and Bennett Murray Roberts; stepsons, Tommy Braswell (Shawn), Butch Braswell, adopted stepson Mark Williams; goddaughter Blakke Garnett, nephew Robert (Jackie) Murray, son of Lt. Howard Murray. Bobby was an infant when his dad was killed at sea; and Howard's wife, Grace.

Funeral service will be held at Forbis and Dick North Elm Street Chapel at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2011 by Rev. Lauren Vanacore of Memorial Presbyterian Church, where Mr. and Mrs. Murray are members.

Interment will be at Lakeview Memorial Park Friday, March 18, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Memorial Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 2116 McKnight Mill Road, Greensboro, NC 27405.

His wife wishes to thank Doctors Hank Smith, Hal Stoneking, Henry Elsner, Donald Murinson, Hind Elsaid and Nimish Gosrani for the care given to her sweetheart.

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