Dr. Gordon Franklin Murray, 79, of St. James, NC died May 21, 2018.

Born on January 8, 1939 he was a son of the late William Murray and Florence Billings Murray. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a son, William Marsden Murray.

A native of Muskegon, Michigan, Dr. Murray graduated AOA from the University of Michigan School of Medicine. His surgical residencies were served at The Johns Hopkins and Massachusetts General Hospitals. Following service in the United States Navy, he joined the faculty of the University of North Carolna, Chapel Hill, and rose to full professor. At West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, he has served as Chairman of the Department of Surgery, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Director of the Thoracic Residency Program and Chief of Surgical Services at West Virginia University Hospitals. His professional affiliations have included the STS (Vice President and Secretary), STSA (President), TSDA (President, ABTS (Examination Chair), TSFRE (Director), and Halsted Society (President), as well as active participation in the AATS, ACCP, ASA and SSA.

Surviving are his wife, Sharon Marsden Murray; son, Bruce Gordon Murray (Tricia) of Garner, NC; daughter, Bren Murray Sprarling (Randy) of Chapel Hill, NC; brother, Dr. Douglas Murray (Judy) of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Sharon, Laura, Kate, William, Conner and Kailyn.

In his retirement, Gordon became the executive director of Lung Banks of America whose mission statement is to help patients with end stage lung disease who desire a lung transplant by "recycling" human lungs from the recently deceased. Lung Banks of America will increase awareness of this concept, and fund research and infrastructure to obtain, assess and establish the safety of transplanting lungs retrieved after circulatory arrest and death. Everyone suffering from severe lung disease deserves access to improved health and quality of life that lung transplantation may afford them.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lung Banks of America, 741 Pinehurst Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.