Henry Thomas Murrow

Henry T. “Buddy” Murrow passed away on Monday, September 2, 2024.

Buddy was born on July 26, 1948, in Athens, Georgia. A lifelong resident of Oconee County, Buddy was the son of Joseph D. Murrow and Hazel C. Murrow. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judith Berkeypile Murrow, daughters, Leigh Murrow Knapp (Joseph) and Allison Murrow Oesterle (Paul), and sons, Jonathan R. Murrow (Laurel), and Thomas C. Murrow. Buddy’s grandchildren include Emma, Andrew, and Aaron Knapp; Madeleine, Ella, and Sophie Murrow; and, Aidan, Lily, and Charlotte Oesterle. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Jo Wright (Dennis); beloved family friend, Carol Jones; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Elijah Oesterle.

Buddy was born into a farming family in the south Oconee community of Farmington. An alumnus of the Oconee County High School Class of 1966, he graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (1968) and the University of Georgia (1970) with degrees in agricultural economics. Buddy was also a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. In 1970, Buddy married Judy and returned home to lead the family business. He farmed cattle, hogs, soybeans, cotton, wheat, and peaches at Murrow Brothers Seed Company, meanwhile founding Oconee Timber Company, Murrow-Jones Properties, and Murrow Trucking. He worked for two decades for Pennington Seed in Madison before retiring. Buddy supported the Georgia Crop Improvement Association, the Oconee Cattlemen’s Association, and the Georgia Seedsman Association.

Buddy enjoyed driving his F-150 around town and lunches out with lifelong friends. He loved classic cars (especially the Oldsmobile 442), careworn John Deere tractors, NASCAR races, and rooting for his Georgia Bulldogs. Together, he and Judy cherished traveling to many places across the US and abroad, but especially the Smoky Mountains. Buddy adored his Basset hound George, the music of Elvis Presley and Gene Watson, and Duke’s Mayonnaise on just about anything.

Buddy was a loyal and generous friend, a loving Boppa to his grandchildren, and a wry storyteller. He spoke plainly, earning respect, devotion, and love from all who knew him. His enduring optimism never allowed life’s setbacks to slow his pace. 

Buddy was a charter member of Ashford Memorial Methodist Church. If you would like to honor his life, please donate to the Ashford Memorial Methodist Church Building Fund at P.O. Box 344, Watkinsville, GA 30677.

Funeral Services will be held for Henry T. “Buddy” Murrow on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Lord and Stephens West Chapel, 1211 Jimmie Daniels Road, Watkinsville, GA at 1:00 pm. Graveside services will follow at the Farmington Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation at Lord and Stephens West on Friday between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. 

Arrangements are being handled by Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA. www.lordandstephens.com