Murray Short Howell Jr.

As number 70 on the Broughton football team, he helped clinch the 1970 4A championship, which remained a proud moment in his life. He went on to attend UNC Chapel Hill and was affectionately known as “Big Daddy”, hosting many parties in “Big Daddy’s Lounge” at Cameron Manor. Murray considered himself lucky to have experienced the music scene and culture of Chapel Hill in the 70’s.

After college, Murray lived in Louisiana, worked for Hughes Tool Company and spent many a fun night on the Bayou. Following in his father’s footsteps, he returned to Raleigh to work for the DOT as a Right of Way Engineer in a cubicle he adorned with a Beavis and Butthead poster. Throughout the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s, Murray could be found at Schoolkids Records, Sadlack’s Heroes, The Office Tavern, power walking around his neighborhood or on the volleyball court with the Cobras. As someone who valued his personal freedom and joie de vivre, he was happy to welcome early retirement at the age of 55 and moved to St. Augustine, Florida. He passed his time as a volunteer guide at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and took shelter dogs on long beach walks. He returned to N.C. again and settled in Swansboro, where he lived a quiet life with his beloved dogs, Ernie, Roy and Dodger. He was known to treat himself to an ice-cold Bud at the Yacht Club during happy hour.

Music was Murray’s greatest passion. He curated an enormous collection of vinyl and CD’s that he listened to in constant rotation, and his encyclopedic knowledge of band members, song titles and lyrics was unmatched. Murray was a unique and colorful person, an independent thinker with a mold shattering sense of humor and stubborn as a mule. He was an avid reader of quirky mysteries, history and classics. He was unwaveringly compassionate towards animals and underdogs, unless the underdog was playing against his Tarheels. Murray was a devoted son, a protective big brother and the most fun uncle you could hope to have.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Cornelia Howell McMillan and his brother-in-law, Duncan A. McMillan.

He is survived by his sister, Adelaide Howell Stallings (David) of Oriental, NC and his niece and nephew, Catherine Campbell McMillan and Evan Norris McMillan.

A celebration of life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 120 Edenton Street in Raleigh, at 2 o’clock on January 16th. The family will receive friends in the Commons following the service. A private burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery.

The family expresses deep gratitude for the care and support provided by Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a contribution be made to SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary’s Street, in Raleigh.