Thomas Whitelaw Murrey Jr.

Thomas Whitelaw Murrey, Jr. (Tommy) Germantown, TN went to be with the Lord on August 30, 2024. Tommy (64) was born on October 29, 1959 in Memphis, TN to Thomas Whitelaw Murrey and Betty McGill Murrey. In addition to his loving mother, Tommy leaves behind his devoted wife of almost 37 years Amy Boone Murrey, his son Joseph Whitelaw Murrey (Katherine and Jack), his daughter Hannah Katherine Murrey, his brother Gavin Murrey (Beth, Anna and Gavin, Jr.), mother-in-law Katherine Boone (lovingly referred to as Boo-Monster), sister-in-law Kathy Ellen Butts (Ray), cousin Jim Murrey (Angie), aunts, cousins, Ronnie Walker, Scotty Jones and countless other lives he enriched during his almost 65 years on this earth. He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Murrey and father-in-law Fredrick Boone.

Tommy grew up in Memphis and graduated with Harding Academy’s Class of 1977. While at Harding, Tommy developed what would be his life-long love of basketball. He excelled in the sport and was the first Harding male athlete to earn a four-year Division I scholarship. He began his career at Virginia Commonwealth University but transferred to Millsaps College and played his last three years until graduation where he was team Captain and achieved Division III First Team All-South honors two years in a row. Both Harding Academy and Millsaps College have recognized Tommy by placing him in their respective Sports Hall of Fame! He is also a member of the Memphis Amateur Sports Hall of Fame for Basketball. Tommy continued playing the game into his 50’s, but his greatest contribution was to the boys he coached. From the time Joseph was old enough to dribble, Tommy was coaching Joseph and his friends. Once Joseph graduated from high school, he turned his attention to his nephew and his friends. When they graduated, he volunteered as an assistant coach for Kingsbury High School Varsity and the St. Louis School 8th grade team. Tommy not only taught these boys about basketball, but he also taught them about sportsmanship and life. Most importantly, he taught them how to be good human beings. Tommy was one of the original founders of the Bluff City Classic summer basketball league and the Iron Strengthens Iron league. Tommy helped create the Dick Clinton Memorial Scholarship for one of his former high school teammates.

After graduating from Millsaps he was accepted and enrolled at the University of Memphis School of Law. He graduated in May of 1985 and joined the Unites States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps., as Tommy wanted to serve the Country he so dearly loved. During his 13 years of active duty and 15 years in the reserves, Tommy had numerous accomplishments and roles. They lived in Mississippi, Sicily, Colorado, South Carolina and Germany. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and retired in 2014.

Tommy worked in the FedEx Legal Department from the fall of 1999 until his passing. As Lead Counsel for FedEx, Tommy was the company’s foremost expert on cargo law, preemption, and the various international treaties covering air cargo loss and damage, and among the nation’s top cargo law experts. He was a member of the Transportation Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel since January 2021. Tommy was the first person in the FedEx Legal Department to win the company’s prestigious Purple Promise Award—which recognizes exceptional service to customers under unusual circumstances. He won the award for his extraordinary efforts, dedication, perseverance, and creativity in locating a 222-year-old rare book that was lost in transit. He proudly served as Chairman of the FedEx Veterans Affinity Group.

In addition to Tommy’s many professional and athletic accomplishments, he was the ultimate family man. Nothing meant more to him. And by family, that means friends as well. Everyone was always welcome at Tommy and Amy’s home. He was incredibly proud of Amy, Joseph, and Hannah and was there for them every day. He was thrilled with the recent addition to the family of Katherine and Jack earlier this Summer. Being a big kid at heart, he spent his last night on earth playing Battlefield with Jack!

Tommy was a collector, gardener, composer and a historian with extensive expertise in military history. In fact, he had an article published in WWII Magazine!

Tommy’s kindness, warmth and ESPECIALLY his humor will be missed by all. Everyone should endeavor to be more like Tommy!

The Visitation will be held on Wednesday September 4, 2024 at Memphis Funeral Home (5599 Poplar Avenue) from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM with the Service starting at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that all donations be made to the West Tennessee JDRF Chapter chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation where Tommy served as a board member. The website for giving is http://www2.breakthrought1d.org/goto/tommurrey