Thomas Whitehead Murrell III

July 16, 2025
CHARLOTTE - Thomas Whitehead Murrell III, of Charlotte, NC, died peacefully on July 16, 2025, at the age of 76, after several weeks surrounded by his cherished family, a multitude of friends, and an exceptional circle of caregivers. He passed as he had lived: a Southern gentleman with a kind soul, a handsome smile, ready wit, marked intelligence, and quiet dignity.
Tom was born in Richmond, Virginia, on November 28, 1948, to Dr. Thomas W. Murrell Jr. and Jane Nelson Goolrick Murrell. Tom enjoyed a happy childhood. He often recalled with fondness his summers playing golf at the Country Club of Virginia, learning to sail and tie knots at Camp Sea Gull, and escaping the Virginia heat with family weekend boating trips on the Rappahannock River-back when air conditioning was still a novelty.
An excellent student with a phenomenal memory, "Tommy," as he was affectionately known, was the valedictorian of his kindergarten class and narrowly missed repeating the feat at St. Christopher's School in Richmond, graduating just a tenth of a point shy.
He attended Yale University (B.A. American Studies, 1971), where he sang with the Society of Orpheus and Bacchus (the SOBs), one of Yale's oldest a cappella groups, and played on the freshman golf team. He became a lifelong, devoted Bulldog, attending many a Harvard-Yale game regardless of how frigid the weather. His time at Yale, set to a soundtrack of The Beatles and The Doors, was transformative. He often said his life began anew when he arrived in New Haven in 1967.
After graduating cum laude, Tom earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He remained devoted to UVA, serving for many years as a recruiter and fundraiser, and built a second cherished network of lifelong friends who faithfully gathered for their Class of '74 reunions.
Tom enjoyed a distinguished career as a corporate litigation attorney, practicing at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in Philadelphia and later at McGuireWoods in Charlotte. His brilliant legal mind and deep generosity of spirit earned him the admiration of colleagues and clients alike. His humor and zest for life made the high-stakes world of litigation more enjoyable for those around him.
Tom relished his passions of history, golf, and music, which he shared with his wife, sons, and grandchildren, enriching their lives in immeasurable ways.
It was through music that he met the love of his life, Gillian. They were introduced during his time performing with The Uncalled Four, a barbershop quartet born out of the Philadelphia Orpheus Club. Married for more than 37 years, Tom and Gillian raised two sons, Thomas and Harry. He was a devoted father, creating years of joyful memories through "boys' nights out" involving putting contests, zombie movies, history museums, and concerts. More recently, he took great delight in being "Papa" to his three grandsons-reading stories, attending music classes, enjoying milkshakes, and playing with his "sneaky buzzards." His love for his children-and theirs for him-was deep, constant, and joyful.
A gifted baritone, Tom sang for two decades with the Orpheus Club, including four joyful years with The Uncalled Four. As his friend Peter Evans once wrote, "We sang for princes, celebrities, yacht clubs, stadiums, and just plain wonderful audiences." Before the group disbanded, their wives lovingly conspired to book a recording session, capturing their best songs on an album called Bachelor Days-a treasured keepsake now played for children and grandchildren.
Golf was another of Tom's enduring passions. At his peak, he was a scratch golfer and played at many of the finest courses in the U.S. and abroad, including in England and Scotland. Lasting friendships were often forged over eighteen holes and sealed over a fine meal and a great story-told, of course, with just the right accent. He was a proud member of the Country Club of Virginia, Merion Golf Club, Pine Valley Golf Club, and Quail Hollow Club.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, Gillian Smith Murrell; their sons, Thomas W. Murrell IV (Deven Griffin Murrell) and Henry (Harry) Garland Murrell; and grandsons Thomas (Teddy) W. Murrell V, George David Murrell, and Parker Hughes Murrell. He is also survived by his beloved sister Page Murrell Woltz and her family; sister-in-law Helen Smith and her family; brothers-in-law Dr. Eric P. Smith and Dr. Richard H. Smith and their families; cousins Rhett DuPont, Page Goolrick, and John Goolrick; Godson Buck Marshall; and many treasured, lifelong friends.
His extraordinary kindness, generous spirit, and subtle humor will be dearly missed.
The Murrell family extends its heartfelt thanks to Drs. Allan Friedman and Henry Friedman at the Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke; Dr. Steve Plunkett and Dr. Nasfat Shehadeh of Charlotte; VIA Hospice; Hallmark Homecare; and the compassionate team at Southminster Hospice.
A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte at 2:00 PM on Friday, July 25, 2025. The service can be live streamed here: Watch Live: Funerals - Christ Church Charlotte
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: The League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg (https://goleaguego.org), The Yale University Art Gallery: (https://artgallery.yale.edu) The UVA School of Law ( https://www.law.virginia.edu) or Christ Episcopal Church (https://christchurchcharlotte.org/).
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.