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.

Early life and education Murray was born in Kingsville, South Carolina near Gadsden. 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, serving from 1955 to 1976. Murray fought in the Vietnam War and was one of the first black Air Force recruiters in the southeast.

Political career 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.

Murray later served on the Richland County Planning Commission.

Personal life and death In 1961, Murray married Gertrude Mitchell. They had three children.

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

Awards and recognitions 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.