Sigma Nu - Theta Kappa - C Dan Murray ThK 90

Theta Kappa Brother Carl “Dan” Murray (ThK 90), age 63 of Vidalia, passed to Chapter Eternal on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 in Vidalia after an extended illness. He was a native of Garden City, a 1967 graduate of Groves High School, and a 1973 graduate of Georgia Southern University, earning a BBA in business management. Dan was a beloved member of Theta Kappa Chapter, both as a collegiate member and an alumnus.

In 1986, he was elected President of the House Corporation as we began to raise the funds to construct the current Chapter House. In that same year, he was also elected the Worthy Commander of the Theta Kappa Alumni Chapter, a leadership role he relinquished to Bill Griffin in 1988 so he could focus on the House Corporation. Dan served as the President of the Theta Kappa House Corporation for 27 years, and we believe he may have been one of the longest serving House Corporation Presidents in Sigma Nu history. Dan held the position of Worthy Commander of the Alumni Chapter during the fundraising years and returned for several additional terms after the construction of the house. He will be remembered by all for his no nonsense approach in making the decision to start the construction of the house in 1988.

As the House Corporation President, Dan was a pivotal player with the remaining members of the House Corporation in their decision to start the construction and the financing of the chapter house in 1988. During the dedication ceremony at Homecoming 1989, Dan was honored for his service and efforts in the construction of the House. He was also honored by the Chapter and Alumni several times as the Theta Kappa Alumnus of the Year and other recognitions. During the drive to pay off the note on the house, he served as a team co-captain of one of the fundraising teams that ultimately led to the elimination of the mortgage debt in 2005.

Dan moved from Savannah to Vidalia in 1984. He was the branch manager at Palmer & Cay Insurance Company for sixteen years, and was the former owner of Murray, Bishop, & Stephens. He was also a former director of the state board of Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia. Dan was president of the Toombs/Montgomery Chamber of Commerce in 1990, and served as a board member of the Toombs/Montgomery Development Authority. He was president of the Vidalia Kiwanis Club in 1993, served as the chairman of the Vidalia Onion Festival in 1998, and was chosen that year as the Vidalia Citizen of the Year. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Vidalia where he willingly served in several capacities within the church, including finance chairman, board of trustees, building committee, and administrative board.

Dan was a devoted and loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather . He is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Susan (“Susie”) Murray of Vidalia; one son, Zachary (“Zach”) Daniel Murray of Vidalia; one daughter, Katherine (“Kate”) Colleen Pommenville and husband, Dave of Pooler; his mother, Marguerite Cook Murray of Prattville, Alabama; three grandchildren, Mason Torrence, Kaydence Murray, and Brady Pommenville; three sisters, Linda Hinely and husband, Royce of Prattville; Judy Murphy and husband, Jimmy, also of Prattville; and Donna Patrick and husband, Steve, of Billingsly, Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be Saturday, May 19 at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church of Vidalia with Reverend Robert Greene and Reverend David Blalock officiating. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home in Vidalia on Friday evening (May 18) from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the First United Methodist, P.O. Box 150, Vidalia, GA 30475, Community Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 2277, Vidalia, GA 30475 or Serinity Hospice Foundation, 304 First St. West, Vidalia, GA 30474. In the near future, we will discuss and publicize a way for those brothers desiring to make contributions to the House Corporation or Foundation in Dan’s name. For those with pictures or memories of Dan, please forward those to alumni@signmanugsu.com, so we can collect and publicize. Dan will be missed – our prayers are with Susie and the family.

Some Key Information:

The obituary may be found at: http://www.ronaldvhall.com/obituaries/obituary.php?id=178190

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home

310 North Street West, P O Box 308

Vidalia, Georgia 30475

912-537-7877

http://www.ronaldvhall.com/obituaries/obituary.php?id=178190

Directions to: http://tinyurl.com/HallFuneralHomeVidalia

Vidalia First United Methodist Church

209 Church Street

Vidalia, GA 30475-0150

912-537-3068