AHOSKIE–A long-time high school coach and athletic administrator in northeastern North Carolina has passed away.

     Richard Murray died at his home on Thursday at the age of 76. He was a teacher, coach and athletic director at Ahoskie High and then at Hertford County for 38 years, and served as a teacher and coach at Ridgecroft School for four years following retirement from public school.

     Born in Burlington, Murray was a graduate of Hampton High School, Chowan College and Atlantic Christian College with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

     Murray was selected to the North Carolina High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, Chowan College Hall of Fame, and was named at one point Athletic Director of the Year from Region l in the NCHSAA.  He was also a member of a football staff that won two NCHSAA state championships, a member of the Board of Directors for the N.C. Coaches’ Association, and a member of Board of Directors for the Union Utilities Corp. Richard was an active member of Union Baptist Church.

     He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bettye Jo Murray, a son, John Murray and wife Kathy and children Olivia, Jackson, and Mitchell Murray of Annapolis, MD., a daughter, Joanna Murray Starr and husband Ed and their daughter Kayla Starr of Crofton, MD.

     Celebration service of his life will be held at Union Baptist Church on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Greg Powell and Rev. Curtis Pixler officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service in Ahoskie.

     Memorial donations may be made to Union Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 431 Boone Farm Rd., Ahoskie, N.C. 27910.