Terry Murray

As a young boy Terry learned to love the outdoors from his family. Every weekend the family would go to Fort Loramie Lake where they would enjoy picnicking and fishing. Terry's grandpa and father were avid fisherman, and Terry soon picked up the love. Later when he was a little older his father also taught him to love golf. Terry was always in a golf league, loved the game, and became quite good at it.

Terry entered the United States Air Force in 1970, serving as an E-4 Morse Systems Operator until he was honorably discharged in 1974. He was stationed in Turkey and Japan. Upon his return home he attended Wright State University, where he competed on the golf team and got his bachelor’s degree in accounting.

In October 1976 he married Charlene. Theresa was born a few years later, followed by son Alex.

In his late twenties Terry began to run and realized this was his talent and passion. In 1987 he joined the Ohio River Road Runners Club as a member of the board of directors. The following year he became treasurer of the club. He held this position as a board member and an officer for the rest of his life.

Despite a recurrence of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1996 Terry never stopped running, and never missed a day of work. He completed countless 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons. He also completed over 100 marathons, and as many as 25 Ultra marathons (50+ miles). His accomplishments included a sub 3-hour marathon in Toledo, two completions of the Pikes Peak ascent and descent, and 17 JFK 50-mile runs across the Appalachian Trail.

Terry also found time to organize two groups for runners and bikers. The groups were affectionately known as the TMRG & TMBG, the Terry Murray Running Group and Terry Murray Biking Group.

As much as Terry excelled at running, his greatest accomplishments were his volunteer work at the Ohio River Road Runner Club events, and his mentoring and encouraging of other runners who were just getting started or needed help to go further. Terry never hesitated to run with or pace a new runner, and often sacrificed his own finishing time to accommodate slower runners.

Terry’s road I.D. said, “To run is to live. Never stop smiling.” Throughout his life and races he remained true to that credo.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be given in Terry's memory to the "Terry Murray Memorial Fund"; ORRRC-Murray Memorial Fund PMB 316 3195 Dayton Xenia Rd. Ste 900 Beavercreek Ohio 45434. https://terry.dayton.run/