Kenneth F. Murrah

Kenneth F. Murrah was a distinguished and accomplished individual known for his leadership, service, and generosity. He had a successful career as a lawyer specializing in estate planning and administration of estates and trusts. Throughout his life, he made significant contributions to various organizations and causes, leaving a lasting impact on his community.

Murrah was born in Pine Mountain, Georgia, and later moved to Winter Park, Florida, where he spent most of his life. He was valedictorian of the Winter Park High School class of 1951 and went on to attend Emory College and Emory School of Law as a scholarship student. He was grateful for the support he received and contributed annually to scholarship funds at Emory, ensuring that others had the opportunity for education. In 1999, Murrah established the Central Florida Scholarship at Emory Law, with the intention to provide greater access to legal education for students from the region. It was later endowed and re-named to honor Murrah by his colleagues, Richard Reinhart and Scott McMillen of the firm McMillen Reinhart & Voght.

His dedication to Emory was recognized with the law school’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and the J. Pollard Turman Award for exceptional alumni service. He held leadership positions during his undergraduate years, serving as president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and student body president.

In his professional life, Murrah was a founding partner of the law firm Murrah Doyle Wigle & Torre. He focused on estate planning and administration, helping clients plan their futures and solve legal problems. He worked with people from diverse backgrounds and income levels, providing broad services to widows and widowers without families to support them.

Murrah was a devoted family man. He was married to Rachel D. Murrah, a respected Winter Park City Commissioner, until her death in 2000. Together, they had two sons, Kenneth Murrah Jr. and Bert Murrah. He later married Ann McMillan Hicks and enjoyed spending time with his grandsons.

Kenneth F. Murrah’s life was characterized by his leadership, service, and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. His contributions to education, the arts, social services, and community development left a lasting legacy at Emory and beyond. He died in December 2015.