E. A. Tony Murray

Edwin Anthony (“Tony”) Murray was born March 31,1948 in Johnson City, TN, and went to be with the Lord on November 15, 2019. He was the son of G. Elnora (Murray) Brady and James Clarence Murray, Sr. Tony attended Douglass Elementary School and Langston High School up until his junior year in 1965 when Langston was closed due to desegregation. He graduated in Science Hill High School’s first fully integrated class. Tony then became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) after earning his Bachelor’s degree at East Tennessee State University. Shortly thereafter, he married Sheila June Mitchell, and to that union were born three children: Karen, Sonya, and Michael. Tony embarked on a 10-year career in the United States Navy, earning the rank of Lieutenant and was deployed to serve on the USS Hector and the USS Sampson DDG-10. After returning to Johnson City following his military service, Tony joined the Johnson City Police Department. He retired in excellent standing after 26 years of service. Tony was a man of few words; he epitomized the “strong, silent type”. He was an avid fisherman and loved gardening. He will be remembered for his dry wit and humor, but most of all for being a kind and gentle soul, and a good man. He was preceded in death by siblings: Walter Charles Brady, Ezell Brady Richardson, Mary Brady Sessions, Leroy B. Brady, and James C. Murray, Jr.; his beloved wife of 46 years, Shelia June Mitchell Murray; and parents G. Elnora Murray Brady, James C. Murray, Sr. and Rev. G. Walter Brady. He leaves to treasure his memory: sisters Adrienne Murray (William) Tarter, Johnson City, TN, and Carole C. Brady, Antioch, TN; and brothers Donald Murray (Judith) and Bryon Keith (Cynthia) Brady of Johnson City, TN. ; children Karen Welda and Michael Anthony Murray of the home, and Sonya Lucinda (Robert) Henry of Ooltewah, TN along with his three grandchildren: Olivia Ann, Anthony Robert and Michele Claire Henry. He cherished them along with a host of nieces and nephews. Special friends are Rudy Allen, Charles Buford and Joan McPherson. The family wishes to acknowledge the attending staff at Johnson City Medical Center and the Vanderbilt Heart Hospital/CVICU. Funeral services will be held at 11:30am Friday November 22, 2019 at Thankful Baptist Church in Johnson City. The family will receive friends from 10:30am until 11:30am at the church prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City.