R. Michael Murray

Robert Michael "Mike" Murray, 82, of Dublin, OH, formerly of Manlius, NY, passed away peacefully in Delaware, OH, on July 14, 2025, surrounded by his wife and children. Mike was born on January 20, 1943, in Akron, OH, and later graduated from Haddonfield Memorial H.S. in NJ. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 and served proudly as a Counterintelligence Officer for the 5th Special Forces (Airborne)-part of the U.S. Army Green Berets-in Vietnam (1967-68). While serving, he was Officer in Charge of a 30-man Cambodian security platoon during the Tet Offensive. His awards included the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Infantryman's Badge. Mike continued to serve as a Reservist through 1979, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.
Mike was part of the Syracuse University class of 1965, and graduated Syracuse University College of Law in 1973. He devoted his legal career to public service, first as an Assistant District Attorney in Westchester County, NY, and then clerking for judges in the New York State Supreme and Appellate Courts.
A lover of music, Mike spent his teen years as a drummer in a popular Jersey Shore band, went on to drum with the Syracuse University marching band, and worked as a professional DJ through adulthood. Mike was an avid record collector and writer, contributing for many years to Film Score Monthly under the pen name "Recordman." Notably, a beautiful letter he wrote to Claudia was published in Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam, and he also authored The Golden Age of Walt Disney Records.
A loving and devoted husband and father, Mike enjoyed coaching his children's baseball and softball teams and spending time with his family. Through years of careful research, Mike left a legacy of family history, and his published volumes of genealogy will continue to be a gift to future generations. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 57 years Claudia Murray; his children: Brian (Michele) Murray, Kathleen (Phillip) Peterson, and Kelly (Joshua) Dinan; and his grandchildren: Michael and Sean Murray, Hugh, Thomas and John Peterson, and Kate and Malcolm Dinan. He was preceded in death by his aunt Genevieve Dudley and his uncle Frank Dudley, who lovingly raised him as their own.
There will be no visitation, but a small memorial is being planned at the Liberty Barn Church chapel in Delaware, OH, at 2:00 pm on Sunday July 27, 2025. Mike will ultimately be interred with military funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
A proud veteran, Mike attended the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC in 1982 and returned throughout his life to honor his fellow soldiers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Honor Flight https://www.honorflight.org/donate/
Memories and Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
The Snyder Funeral Center, Delaware Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements