David O. Murray

David Oscar Murray
Raleigh
David Oscar Murray, 49, of Raleigh, North Carolina, died peacefully, though unexpectedly, at his home on Sunday, September 23, 2012. Dave was born in Madison, Wisconsin on April 3, 1963 to Richard David Murray and Martha Murray Chafin. After graduating from R. J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. in 1981, he attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for two years and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1985 with a degree in Political Science and Economics. He was a brother of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
After graduating, Dave spent several years in Washington, D.C., working in communications positions for members of Congress from North Carolina and California. During that time, Dave married his high school sweetheart, Sara Jo Skinner, on December 3, 1988. They later moved to Raleigh, N.C. where Dave served as the Director of North Carolina Taxpayers United beginning in 1992 and then as the Public Relations Director for the software gaming company Interactive Magic in 1995. Dave became a founding partner at Southern Capitol Ventures in 2000. He went on to open Clear Image in 2001, where he was a passionate entrepreneur, and a devoted manager, advisor, mentor and friend.
He endeavored to do the right thing and helped to instill this same quality in his employees. Dave created an education partnership with North Carolina State University to assist students in developing public relations and marketing skills in an ethics-based work environment. Leading by example and teaching future leaders was his passion.
He enjoyed being outside—working in the yard, walking his dogs, hiking in the Grand Canyon, walking on Holden Beach and quietly relaxing with the sun on his face. Those who knew Dave will always remember him as a selfless, caring and compassionate man.
Dave is survived by his wife, Sara, of 24 years and their beloved dogs, Mattie and Banks; his mother, Martha; his father, Rick, and wife Cecily Parrish Murray; and his mother-in-law Sara Brame Skinner. He also leaves behind two brothers, Rick (Carole) Murray and The Rev. Tom (Perrin) Murray; a sister, Cassi (John) Ragsdale; a sister-in-law, Tricia (Justin)Skinner Swanson; and a brother-in-law, Jim (Lisa) Skinner; a step-sister Amy (Rick) Powell; a step-sister Ellen (Jeff) Gibel; a step-brother Chris Chafin and a step-sister Betsy (Mitch) Kye. He is also survived by his treasured and beloved nieces and nephews: Ana Linn, Sarah, and David Murray; Virginia, William, Evie, and Sophie Murray; Tommy Ragsdale; Jordan, Bella, and Zelda Swanson; Leif Skinner; Hartley and Hayes Powell; Drew Gibel; Ashley and Alex Chafin; Erin and Pierson Kye; and great niece Madeline Holder. Dave was preceded in death by his father-in-law, James Albert Skinner; his step-father, Robert Neil Chafin; and nephew Oscar Jameson Skinner.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 520 Summit Street, Winston-Salem, N.C., 27101. A reception will follow at the church in the Colhoun Room. Burial will take place on the same day at 4:30 pm at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 2575 Parkway Drive in Winston-Salem. Friends and loved ones are welcome to attend any or all of the above arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, Dave would have wanted donations made to Triangle Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic, 1417 Seaton Road, Durham, N.C. 27713, (919) 544-3330, or SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, N.C. 27603, (919) 772-2326.