Thomas C. Murray

Thomas C. Murray (Chris), son of the late T. W. Murray and Ellie Walker Murray, of Sardis, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 20, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Dirk Murray, Jacksonville, FL and Fayte Murray, Sardis GA; maternal grandparents, RC and Eva Lanier Walker and paternal grandparents, Lloyd and Irene DeLaigle Murray, all of Sardis; and son-in-law, Jeff Anderson, Waynesboro, GA.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Stout Murray of Waynesboro; a sister, Charmain Murray of Sardis; two sons, Nicholas Cochran (Jean) of Lexington, SC and Ken Bailey of Cape Coral, FL; a daughter, Paige Anderson of Waynesboro; four grandchildren, Anna Beth and Jackson Cochran of Lexington, SC and Taylor and Michael Anderson of Waynesboro; numerous nieces and nephews; and two constant canine companions, Ranger II and Champ.

A member of Sardis Baptist Church, Chris was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed camping with his wife and dogs, hunting, fishing, and the beauty of Briar Creek, where he owned his own little piece of heaven. He could be found there most days surrounded by family and friends and/or sometimes just the solitude of the tall pines and the murmur of the soft currents and eddies carrying water to the sea, the crackle of campfires, and always cherishing the memory of a brother who was laid to rest nearby.

Chris was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, a proud Marine, and a defender of our country all the days of his life. He was instrumental in planning and executing the addition of the Burke County Veterans Memorial monument located on the courthouse square in Waynesboro, which is topped with an eternal flame lighting the memories of Burke Counties residents who gave the ultimate sacrifice in war. In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during his tour of Vietnam, Crew Chief HMM-263, Gopher Broke (1969-70), he also received the following medals and commendations: Bronze Star, Strike Flight/Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal w/Combat “V”, National Defense Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm and a Good Conduct Medal. He was a member of VFW Post 649.

After leaving the military, he continued to serve and protect with a long career in law enforcement, serving city, county, and state in multiple capacities and retired from Washington State Prison in Davisboro, GA. He also served as Coroner and Deputy Coroner of Burke County for many years.

In later years, after his first fight with cancer (2016), he continued to live life to the fullest as he found himself doing a tandem jump out of a perfectly good airplane, zip lining and parasailing. In 2017, never one to back down from a challenge he faced his memories of the horrors of war by returning to Vietnam for four weeks with his nephew. There he met extended members of his Vietnamese family, visited Marble Mountain, orphanages, and a monastery where he was gifted a walking stick from a member of the order.

He never met a stranger and was loved by family and friends from all over the world.

Semper Fi

Memorial Services will be held 2:00pm Saturday, November 9 at Rosemont Baptist Church with Michael Flowers officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Remembrances may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 220 East 6th Street, Waynesboro, GA   30830 (706-554-3531). You may sign the guest book at www.deloachfuneralhomes.com.