Nelson Murray

Nelson Murray was born in Birmingham, AL on May 10, 1932, to the late McKinley and late Queen Victoria Murray. He was raised by his grandmother from the age of nine when his dad died suddenly, and his mom fell ill. Nelson grew up in the church and attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He graduated from Wenonah high school.

Nelson was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952, a year after his childhood friend, Ben Thomas. They remained close friends throughout Nelson's life, and the nickname "Hot," given to him by Ben, stayed with him just as long.

Nelson did his boot camp in Fort Knox, KY, and was trained to operate battalion tanks. After boot camp, he was stationed at the Fort Lewis Army Base in Washington state. He returned home to Birmingham, AL after his discharge from the Army.

He knew from a young age that Birmingham was not going to be his permanent residence. Within a year or two from being discharged from the army, he left Alabama permanently and drove cross country to the Pacific Northwest with family friends, Curtis and Stella Mae Brown and their children. They settled in Portland, OR.

During the first couple of years in Oregon, Nelson worked a variety of odd jobs and inquired about going to engineering school at Portland State University. He also met his wife to be, Helen Hornbuckle. They married in 1958 and were together for 62 years.

As his young family began to grow, He saw the need to enhance his skills, and enrolled in welding school. After obtaining his welding certificate, he worked for 30 years in the foundry, first at Rich Manufacturing company then Alcoa.

Nelson was always business minded. He and a close friend bought an oil truck and started Nelson & Williams Fuel Oil, delivering oil to people’s homes. A few years later, he purchased and managed a duplex.

At the age of 92, the Lord called Nelson home. He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen Murray; his daughter, Victoria Ruth Murray; siblings, Mary E. Thomas, Birmingham, AL, McKinley C. Murray, Birmingham, AL, James H. Murray, Birmingham, AL, Aurelia Jackson, Birmingham, AL, Mable Broadnax, Birmingham, AL, Ernestine Dirl, Chicago, IL.

He leaves cherished memories and legacy to his six children, Harmonia Renay Murray, Thalia Ann Murray, Yolanda Dean Murray, Rickey Nelson Murray, Randy Mark Murray, and Wendy Eve Murray-Lewis (Patrick Randolph Lewis, Sr.); Grandchildren, Helena Ruth Clowers (Samuel T. Clowers), Suenya Umanga Maivia (Sarah S. Maivia), Victor Uriah-Lamont Jones, Zakeya Renay Mitchell, Zenovia Amoorti Mitchell, Jazmine Victoria Jones, Iman Shabaz Mitchell, Danielle Margaret Jones, Alyssa Helen Murray, McKenna Mae Murray, Abigale Dawn Stoker, Patrick Randolph Lewis, Jr.; Great-Grandchildren, Amya Marral Golriz, Sadat Langston Clowers, Ameilia Estelle Clowers, Vaifaga Tua Maivia, Kamoi Kable Maivia, Ismaiyah Kori Maivia, Lliana Mia Maivia, Esther Athena-Rose Hart, and Theory Ianna-Soleil Hart; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.