R. Smith Murray, Sr.
R. Smith Murray, Sr. was born on Nov. 9, 1935, to O.B and Alice Murray in Chattanooga. He moved to Boston at a young age and became a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox, from which he suffered decades of heartbreak but still managed to graduate Bright School and McCallie with distinction before attending College at Princeton, where he was a member of the Cottage Club, then onto medical school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He completed his residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, where he also met and courted his wife, Barbara. He had a fulfilling career in Chattanooga as a urologist, where he served in many roles, including Chief of Staff at Memorial Hospital. He was a man of deep faith. He served as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church, where his commitment to service was evident in all he did.
He was a man of many passions. As member of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club and original member of the Honors Course, he remained an avid, competent, but never-satisfied golfer. Known for his love of history, he penned many articles for the Chattanooga Area Historical Association. He was perhaps best known for his contagious and encyclopedic love of film. He amassed a 35 mm film collection of hundreds of films that ranged from the swashbuckling Errol Flynn, to the adventures of James Bond and everything Disney in between. He famously hated attending parties, but when he did go, the hosts would treat him like a guest of honor.
He had many lifelong friends whom he loved genuinely. It was this quality that helped him fulfill a dream of befriending two of his childhood heroes from the Boston Red Sox, creating cherished memories that lasted a lifetime.
Smith is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Barbara Harmon Murray, his daughter, Erin Murray, sons Ringland (Rink) Murray Jr. (wife Kristi Murray), Oscar Benson Murray (wife Candice Murray) and Edward Wicker Murray and his beloved grandchildren, Lochlan Murray and McLean Murray.
We, his family, cherish the connection to the past, through film, reading, and educational vacations. But we also loved the devil in him. He was a master of playing the bad cop and good cop all at once. On roller coasters, as the car clicked up that first hill, with a scared child beside him, he would start to rub a worried brow and say that he might “get off at the top.” But he never did. Not until now. August 19, 2024. He was at peace. And that was his final gift.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at Advantage Franklin-Strickland Chapel from 5-7 p.m. and a graveside service will be the following day at Forest Hills Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate the Chattanooga Area Historical Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services Franklin -Strickland Chapel, 1724 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404, 423 265-4414.
Please visit the website to share your memories at www.advantagefranklin-strickland.com.