To know Jim/Jimmy/Dad/Pop-Pop was to love him deeply. Although he is sorely missed, he lives on through his kids and grandkids and the memories of all who knew him.  

Born in West Virginia, Jim was the oldest of 4, and he loved to tell stories of his never-dull childhood while employing his uniquely dry wit. Jim lifeguarded, played football, and sang in a quartet in high school, and generally enjoyed life with his brothers Tom and John and sister Audrey. After Jim graduated from Georgetown University, he loved visiting "The Tombs" over the course of many years. 

After moving to Chappaqua, NY to commute to Fordham Law, Jim met Merrie at the Chappaqua Swimming Club (he as a lifeguard and she running the snack bar), which started a beautiful relationship and marriage that lasted over 50 years.  

After graduating from law school, Jim joined the United States Marine Corps and was in Officer Candidate School, in Quantico, when his daughter Leanne was born. He and Merrie and Leanne then traveled to Barstow, CA and to Okinawa, as Jim proudly served in the JAG Corps, achieving the rank of Captain. 

Jim & Merrie bought their first home in White Plains, NY, where his son Mike and daughter Meredith were born, before settling in Westport, CT for 20+ years to raise their family. Jim and Merrie then moved to Oakton, VA, where Jim worked at Union Carbide’s DC office as Director of Government Affairs. 

Jim’s life was always full with Merrie, their 3 kids, and later his 5 grandchildren, and he tolerated whatever life threw at him with humor and aplomb. Whether it was Merrie’s decision to douse a skunked dog in tomato juice, or rescuing a golf cart from gator-infested waters, or snakes falling out of his jeep, Jim took it all in stride. He was the consummate family man, commuting to and from Union Carbide but still finding time to coach sports and participate in all his kids’ and grandkids' activities and life events. Jim even read to his kids and grandkids long after they could read themselves, especially the tradition of reading The Night Before Christmas with comedic improv for decades. 

Every summer, Jim and Merrie loaded their station wagon and threw their kids in for the annual 2-day trek to Fripp Island, SC, visiting Jim’s parents and the rest of the southern Murray Clan. Later, after Jim bought the Fripp house, he could be found zipping contentedly around on his golf cart, often with a cocktail and ‘gar in hand, enjoying many a sunset. 

Jim was especially fond of the moniker “Pop-Pop” bestowed upon him once he became a grandfather. He and Merrie traveled tirelessly to spend quality time with family, attending birthdays, holidays, softball games, graduations, concerts and musicals. Jim never complained about a lumpy guest room mattress or a sub-optimal night’s sleep, greeting each day with a wide grin and hearty "GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING."

Jim loved listening to his first grandson Michael sing, playing “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables for guests and making it to nearly all of Michael’s high school and college shows. He also traveled to Boston for his granddaughter Mallory’s softball games, and sat with his brother Tom to watch a livestream of Mallory's college graduation. Jim equally loved watching his three younger grandsons develop and grow into fine young men, enjoying Sean’s leading role in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder and updates on Kyle & Connor’s latest ventures, from the athletic to the academic to the musical. 

It goes without saying that Jim enjoyed being with Merrie wherever they were, whether at home or at the Club or socializing with friends and their Wine Club. He enjoyed staying in touch with his colleagues from Carbide, and traveled all over the world, yet was happiest at home and with his family. Jim relished the simple things in life, which he had in abundance. He loved reading a good book, yelling at the news and opining on politics, enjoying cigars and drinks on his deck, and watching football and war movies. 

Jim’s respect and admiration for the Marine Corps, and deep interest in military history, was legendary. In fact, despite his strict Catholic upbringing Jim believed that he had been reincarnated from a young hero who lost his life on Pearl Harbor Day (Jim was born 9 months after that infamous day, and his son was born on December 7). Jim thoroughly researched those who lost their lives on Pearl Harbor Day and felt an extraordinary kinship with them. If his theory is true, how wonderful that a young soul taken too soon in the tragedy of Pearl Harbor was able to spend 79 love-filled years his next go-round, surrounded by family and friends.  

Words cannot do justice to how much of a great person, husband, brother, father, uncle, cousin, colleague, and friend Jim was. His memory will always be a blessing to those who knew him. 

Jim with some of his family who gathered to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary with Merrie

We think of you so often, Dad, and the memories that we all have of being together at Fripp will last our lifetimes!

Jim loved being with family, especially reunions at Fripp!

We are so grateful that Dad is at Quantico (where he trained and his firstborn child was born), surrounded by heroes. Rest peacefully, Dad, we love you!

Jim's time with the Marines made a lasting impression on him. 

Formal photograph of James Vincent Murray III

National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico

JAMES VINCENT MURRAY III's Profile Picture

JAMES VINCENT MURRAY III

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