Thompson Buddy Murray

Thompson Bernard (Buddy) Murray Jr., 85, of Wynne, was surrounded by his loving family when he died in Little Rock at UAMS early Friday morning, Nov. 25, 2011, of a perforated colon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thompson Bernard Murray and Kathleen Hays Murray; his sister, Jane Murray Smith, and his beloved wife, Martha Williams Murray. Buddy was born in Wynne, Ark., on June 15, 1926, and that was the same year his father established Murray Chevrolet Co. After graduating from Western Military Academy in Alton, Ill., in 1944, Buddy enlisted in the Air Force and was awaiting flight training school when World War II ended. He attended the University of Arkansas and left without graduating but with "encouragement" from Martha, he returned and graduated with a B.S. in business in 1960. Buddy never wanted to do anything other than operate Murray Chevrolet Co., and he did it with great passion and expertise until his retirement in 1991. Buddy was also very engaged in the management of Wild Acres Farms. Buddy was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Wynne. He served in many capacities within the church, but he was a longstanding member of the finance committee and served as a delegate to annual conference for many years. He was a member of the Wynne Rotary Club for more than 60 years and a Paul Harris Fellow. Actively engaged in his community, Buddy served on the Wynne School Board and helped guide the process of desegregation for the Wynne Public Schools. Buddy served on the board of trustees of the Arkansas Methodist Children's Home (currently Methodist Family Health) and he volunteered with The Good Shepherd Center, a local food and clothing pantry. He was a past board member of The First National Bank of Wynne and Wynne Federal Savings and Loan Association. Buddy was active in the Arkansas Automobile Association as a board member and for a term as the state president, and he served on the National ADA board as well. After a near fatal car accident that left his mother paralyzed in the 1950s, Buddy became a crusader for the use of seat-belts, and he testified before a U.S. congressional committee in his effort to help pass national seat-belt laws. After his retirement, Buddy was able to focus his attention on collecting and restoring antique Chevrolet and Oldsmobile cars. He established an impressive collection of cars that spanned seven decades. Buddy was active in national and local antique car clubs and he enjoyed traveling to show his treasures. Buddy grew to appreciate the game of golf and he was never known to not have a boat. Buddy is survived by his beloved children, Martha Jane Murray (Neil Munro) of Hot Springs, and Thompson Murray (Sharla Chalfant) of Little Rock. He leaves his precious grandchildren, Dr. Liza Murray (Joe Yoder) and Lucas Murray, and Sarah and Evan Munro. He leaves his sister-in-law, Helen Landes, of El Dorado, and his brother-in-law, Jack Williams, of Little Rock. He had eight nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, and an abundance of friends who were like family. His primary caregiver, Patsy Hogue, served him admirably and became like a family member. Buddy also leaves behind his best canine friend, Charlie. The burial service will be at Cogbill Cemetery in Wynne at 10 a.m., on Monday, Nov. 28, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., at First United Methodist Church in Wynne with Rev. Glen Pettus officiating. Visitation will be held in Wynne at Kernodle Funeral Home on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. Honorary pall bearers will be Buddy's faithful coffee group and other lifelong friends; Luther Sigman, Jack Killough, Joe Dugan, Jim Shaver, Gerald Stutts, LV Tate, Doyle Brown, Leroy Dangeau, Wallace Eldridge, Jim Luker, and Roy Hunter. In lieu of flowers, Buddy would want memorial gifts to be directed to First United Methodist Church of Wynne, P.O. Box 1007, 72396, The Martha Williams Murray Endowment Fund held by the Arkansas Community Foundation (www.arcf.org) or a charity of your own choosing. Kernodle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, www.kernodlefh.com.