Julius Murray

Julius Murray (March 23, 1938 – September 8, 2019) was an American politician. He was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 70th District, serving from 1979 to 1983.

Murray was born in Kingsville, South Carolina near Gadsden.^[1] He graduated from Webber High School and Columbia College of Missouri. Murray was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and retired from the US Air Force as a Master Sergeant,^[2] serving from 1955 to 1976. Murray fought in the Vietnam War and was one of the first black Air Force recruiters in the southeast.^[3]

In 1976, Murray became one of the first African-Americans elected to Richland County Council. He was the first African-American Vice-Chairman on Council. Murray served in the South Carolina House of Representatives and was a member of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. In 1989, Murray was the first African-American appointed to the South Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.^[4]

Murray later served on the Richland County Planning Commission.^[5]

In 1961, Murray married Gertrude Mitchell. They had three children.^[6]

Murray died on September 8, 2019. He is buried at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.^[7]

Murray received “The Airman’s Award for Heroism,” the nation’s highest peacetime award.

Murray was recognized in 2012 by the South Carolina legislature with a highway sign bearing his name at the intersection of Atlas and Veteran's roads.^{[8] [9]}