Oliver Byron Murray II

Oliver Byron Murray II

Oliver, known as Byron, died March 15th 2025 of cancer in Eugene, Oregon. Byron grew up in the South. We could still occasionally hear the “yes mam” in his voice. In 1967 Byron received a draft notice and promptly decided he’d much rather enlist in the Air Force. To his surprise he was not sent to Vietnam but to Puerto Rico. While in the Air Force he was stationed in Michigan, Arkansas, Florida, Texas and Germany. He obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees and became an AF hospital administrator. He retired as an officer in 1987 and began a second career. In his second career his passion was working with non-profits to develop mid-level leaders to become executives able to understand systems as well as to lead from the heart. He was also devoted to helping others through AA and Catholics in Recovery.

He was described by others as a deep thinker and a kind and gentle man. At the age of 56 he and his wife decided to adopt. He was always the oldest dad on the Boy Scout camping trips but he slept on the ground none the less. His son, Bo, made Eagle Scout. He also never missed a single one of his daughter April’s dance recitals. To his family, he was an ever-constant source of support and love. He always said he had our back and that was so very true. His hobbies included a love of jazz, stamp collecting, reading and the Civil War. He used to say that he wouldn’t be allowed to die until he could pass the “history of the civil war test” with subspecialties on Gettysburg and President Lincoln. He passed the test.

Byron had four children from his first marriage: Oliver Byron Murray III, Michelle, James (Sandy) and Sean. Byron married Sandra B. in 1980. They have two children: Andrew Bo (Thao) and April Murray. Byron is survived by his wife, children, a loving extended family and many dear Air Force and civilian friends.

A funeral Mass will be held at St Peter Catholic Church, 1150 Maxwell Rd. in Eugene OR, April 30th at 11 AM with luncheon following. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Byron Murray Catholics in Recovery Retreat Scholarship Fund are deeply appreciated. The site is give.catholicinrecovery.com or mail to Catholic in Recovery, 525 Cinnamon Pl. Nashville, TN 37211. Please include “in honor of Byron Murray” with any donation.