Maurice Allan Murray (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Maurice Allan Murray, Lt. Col., Ret., was born in Augusta, Georgia, August 4, 1919, to Allan Malone and Annie Kelly Murray. He spent his early years in Augusta, receiving his diploma from Richmond Academy and later attending the Junior College of Augusta (now Augusta State University). He transferred to Virginia Institute of Technology (VPI) where, in 1940, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering and his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. Mr. Murray was a retired Lieutenant Colonel having served during World War II in Trinidad and Okinawa. As a ceramic engineer, Mr. Murray was a specialist in the field of piezoelectricity. He was instrumental in the development of sonar as well as guidance technology for space exploration and the first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus. He was recognized for his achievements in Who's Who in Engineering (1954). In 1943, Mr. Murray married Christine Lawrence of Augusta. Christine died in 1985. In 1995, he married Mildred (Mimi) Torpin Peterson of Jackson, MS, formerly of Augusta. Mimi died in July 2008. Mr. Murray is survived by two daughters, Teresa Smalley of Little Falls, MN and Michelle Burroughs (Mrs. Joseph Burroughs) of Grovetown; one son, Norman Murray of Asheville, NC; a stepdaughter, Wendy Wallace (Mrs. Mike Wallace) of Raleigh, NC; and a stepson, Steve Peterson (wife Carol) of Jackson, MS. He had six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister Mabel Fiero of Red. Wing, MN. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Rev. Frank Thigpen officiating. Interment will follow in Westover Memorial Park with Military Honors. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1899 Central Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 in lieu of flowers. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484 www.thomaspoteet.com Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

The Augusta Chronicle-November 20, 2008