Frederick Clay Ernest Murray

 Frederick Clay Ernest “Rick” Murray, 70, of Reidsville, NC passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, NC.

Born in Greensboro, NC, Rick was a son of the late Clay Ernest and Margaret Jones Murray and lived in Reidsville for most of his life. After graduating from Reidsville Senior High School, he received a B.A. in English from UNC-Chapel Hill – where he was Phi Beta Kappa and a Whitaker Scholar – and later obtained his J.D. from University of Virginia Law School. He was a board-certified estate planning attorney who practiced law in Greensboro for 10 years and in Reidsville for the remainder of his career. As an attorney, Rick was tirelessly devoted to his job and took great pleasure in meeting and serving the needs of his clients. He retired in 2004 due to a sudden medical illness, which he met with grace, good humor, and without complaint.

Rick was a charter member of Woodmont United Methodist Church where he served as Estate Planning Chairman, loyal member of the Methodist Men, founding board member for the Woodmont Child Development Center, and renowned Time for Children leader. He was a longtime member of the Reidsville Rotary Club where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served as a past board member of the Annie Penn Hospital Foundation and the Reidsville Community Pool Association. Within the last year of his life, he took great pride in arranging a gift of the family land at Lake Reidsville, Murray’s Point, to the City of Reidsville for recreational use.

Rick had a love for Carolina basketball, well-done steaks, the Wall Street Journal, Led Zeppelin, laps in the YMCA pool, Mountain Dew, the family dog Bigsby, and Friday mornings with the breakfast bunch. He especially enjoyed debating (or baiting) friends and family on any number of topics including politics, sports, personal finance, or current events.

He will be remembered most for his dry wit, kind heart, playful manner, and unique taste in food. He was quiet yet gregarious, considerate yet stubborn, brilliant yet down-to-earth. He loved a good toast as much as an irreverent prayer. He was a patient, supportive, and proud husband, father, and grandfather – a man whose family meant everything to him and who meant everything to his family.

Rick was preceded in death by a sister: Martha Elizabeth Murray. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Caroline Tuttle Murray of the home; daughter Cassidy MacKay and husband Todd of Greensboro, NC; son Scott Murray and wife Laura Helen of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren Lilly, Caleb, and Austin MacKay, and Rollin Murray; brother Burke Murray and wife Karen of Arlington, VA; and sister Dianne Nicholas and husband Andy of Cary, NC.

The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at Woodmont United Methodist Church. The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at Woodmont United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium.

Memorials may be sent to: Woodmont United Methodist Church 1926 Richardson Dr. Reidsville, NC  27320 or donations to: Cone Health Pediatric Palliative Care Fund in honor of Caleb MacKay (via check or online at http://bit.ly/2mI5Qe2).

Citty Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to: www.cittyfh.com.    

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