Obituary of Robert Roy Murray

Robert R. Murray III passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 15, 2023, in his home in Charlotte NC after a nearly four-year battle with ALS. Son of Robert (Bob) Roy Murray Jr. and Carol S. Murray, Rob was born and raised in Danville, Va where he developed two lifelong passions: liberty via freedom of speech and basketball, along with all things ACC. Rob graduated from Davidson College in 1978 with a degree in Political Science and he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He continued his studies at the Woodrow Wilson School of Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Rob’s early business career began in a management training program with Ferguson Enterprises, the nation’s largest plumbing wholesaler. He rose through the ranks quickly excelling in all facets of the business including earning President’s Club membership several years in a row as one of the top salespeople nationally. He was then tapped to be the manager of the Albany, GA location. Soon thereafter, his entrepreneurial spirit beckoned and he left Ferguson to create two new businesses selling and distributing decorative plumbing fixtures and built-in amenities for the home (The Fixture Exchange), and water filtration/water treatment equipment (BOLI Water Quality).

Over the past 15+ years, Rob was successful in starting and growing two new thriving businesses: The Bridge Agency, with partner Ronnie Hall, a manufacturer’s rep business covering 6 states in the Southeast, and Health at Home, Inc. dedicated to designing, manufacturing, sourcing and supplying bathing and showering products that assist disabled persons and seniors to live and bathe safely at home. Many of those products were helpful during his battle with ALS. Health at Home, Inc. continues to thrive in large part due to its talented, caring, and dedicated employees.

As a fitness enthusiast and devoted athlete, Rob played basketball several times per week well into his 60’s, often with men half his age. When no longer able to play himself, he gifted the children in his neighborhood a permanent basketball goal for all to enjoy with a plaque inscribed with his words of wisdom: “Hoop it up!”

In the last few years, Rob continued to support the notion that a society is only free if its citizens retain the right to free speech and expression. Along with a group of other loyal alumni, he helped establish the Davidsonians for Freedom of Thought & Discourse (DFTD) an organization dedicated to Free Speech. Rob served on the organization’s Board of Directors.

Nice, Kind, Humble, Generous, Caring, Devoted and Loving are adjectives that those who knew Rob consistently use to describe him. What’s more, those who were fortunate enough to work with Rob learned, by his example, the true understanding of what a “strong work ethic” means. He loved all kinds of music and had a special affinity for celebrating Halloween.

Rob is survived by his heroic wife, Nancy Miley Murray, his three children, Mary Ramsay White and husband Jonathan White of Pelham AL, Robert Roy Murray IV and wife Nikki Murray of Santa Rosa Beach FL, and Smith Murray of Destin FL, his sister Carol E. Murray and husband Michael Mergen of Lake Wylie, SC and brother William B Murray and wife Pam of Richmond VA, his two grandchildren, three stepsons; Reed Gaskin, David Gaskin and Ross Gaskin, their wives and their five children.

A memorial service will take place 1pm, Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.

In lieu of flowers, Rob would have appreciated any donations to go to Davidsonians for Freedom of Thought and Discourse (DFTD).

DFTD is a free speech nonprofit in Davidson North Carolina and checks can be mailed to DFTD, PO Box 355, Davidson, NC 28036 www.dftdunite.org