Terry Allan Murray

Terry Allan Murray

August 7, 2025

Durham, North Carolina - Terry Allan Murray passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025. Terry was born in Durham, North Carolina, on June 11, 1953 to Lee Hurdle Murray and Loucile Green Murray, and was the brother of Edwin Lee Murray. He attended Durham City Schools, graduating from Hillside High School, and was enrolled in classes at Duke University for two years. Terry worked as night auditor at the Washington-Duke Motor Inn, the Millennium Hotel, and the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club. He retired on disability but later worked at Durham Exchange Club Industries.

Terry was a dedicated fan of Duke sports, in part because his father worked at Duke and his father's sister was married to famed Duke coach Wallace Wade. He and his brother attended Duke football and basketball games for many years.

Terry also was an avid reader his entire life. He mostly loved comic books and science fiction. He and his brother hosted the Durham mini-cons from 1968 to 1980, kickstarting organized fandom in North Carolina. The Heroes Convention in Charlotte was inspired by these Durham mini-cons.

He and his brother amassed a collection of comic books and fiction magazines during that period. In 1999, McFarland published Terry's "Science Fiction Magazine Story Index, 1926-1995," the work of a lifetime. In 2002, the brothers donated the Edwin and Terry Murray Collection of Pop Culture to the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library at Duke University. Included were 55,000 comic books, 500 role-playing and board games, and thousands of comic fanzines. This is their legacy to future enthusiasts.

Terry was a loving son, brother, and friend and will be much missed. He is survived by his brother, Edwin.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 14th at Clements Funeral Chapel in Durham. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.