WILMINGTON — Wendell “Mac” McCullen Murray, Jr. 79, passed away on March 31, 2022, surrounded by love and family. He was preceded in death by his parents Wendell and Charlotte Murray, his in-laws Charlie and Ruth Elrod, and his beloved first wife Grace Elrod Murray. He is survived by his devoted wife Suzanne Schmidt Murray of Wilmington, NC; his children Ginger (James) Mullins of Chillicothe, OH, and Chuck (Lynn) Murray of Harrisburg, NC; his grandchildren Russell and Gracie Murray; and his brother Robert S. Murray, Lt. Col. USMC (ret) of Holly Ridge, NC. He also survived by cherished in-laws Barbara (Robert) Johnston of Toano, VA, Sharleen (Shannon) Smith of Hickory, NC, Nancy (Tom) Britt of Raleigh, NC, and many loving nieces and nephews from both the Murray and Elrod families.
Mac was born on March 17, 1943, in Raleigh, NC, and attended high school in Greensboro, NC. He was a graduate of both North Carolina State University and UNC-Chapel Hill, after which he spent his entire career in public education. He began his career first as a physics teacher, then Assistant Principal at Broughton High School and then moved to the newly built Sanderson High School in Raleigh, NC, as Assistant Principal followed by over a decade as Principal. Upon his departure from Sanderson, he spent several years with the Wake County Public School System Central Office as Assistant/Associate Superintendent for Administration, and then moved on to become the Superintendent of Pender County Schools, after which he retired in 1996.
After retirement, he dedicated 20 years of service, as Treasurer, to the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area. During this time, he also served on the Board of Directors for Cape Fear Community College. In 2019, Mac and Suzanne relocated to Cambridge Village of Wilmington, where they have enjoyed their time meeting new friends.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Andrews Mortuary in Hampstead, NC, on Sunday, April 3rd from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at the Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel in Topsail Beach, NC at 12:00 pm on April 4th followed by a short graveside service at the Sea Lawn Memorial Park in Hampstead. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation to a deserving charity supporting education and scholarships, please do so to the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area Foundation (memo scholarships).
