Alvin Murray
Alvin Murray was loved. Born Dec. 28, 1948 in Crockett, Texas, he amassed a large number of people who simply loved him. He was loved by his wife Carol Robinson, who married him in 1969. He was loved by their three children Cindy Murray, Mindy Vest, and David Murray. He was loved by their spouses Charles Vest and Michelle Murray. He was loved by his grandchildren William Vest, Chelsea LaRue, Hunter Murray, Carter Murray, Dakota Murray, and his four great-grandchildren. His original family members were right there in the circle of love: sisters, Margie Collins of Dayton, Mary Ubernosky and husband, Joe of Lovelady, Nelda Cramer of Lovelady, and brother, Roy Murray.
He touched the lives of many friends, too, who noted what a loyal friend he always was. On a tribute wall for Alvin, JoAnna Williams posted that “There were so many times I came to you for advice because Daddy would be overseas working. You always treated me like I was your very own. If I was scared, you were there; if I was sad, you were there; if I just didn’t understand something, you were there to give me advice.”
She knew just how much his family meant to him. “I know your grandchildren and all the rest of the family will also miss you dearly. I am thankful for all of the memories that we have all made together thru the years. My heart won’t let me say Goodbye, so for now I will just say ‘see ya later.’”
This sentiment is echoed in another tribute from Alvin’s dear friend JD Doyle. All of us would hope someone special could say about us what JD said of him: “As I stood beside your graveside today, I thought of all the great times you shared with me as a kid growing up. Thank you for spending the time with me. You were definitely an attribute to my life as I became an adult. You had a great impact on who and what I became today. Thanks so much, Alvin, for being there all those times when no one else was. Love ya and see you down the trail.”
Alvin worked hard—first in the hot, dangerous oil fields. Then he moved into a more stable environment and ran a successful hay business. Anyone who knows farming and Texas weather understands how hard that work is. He did it. A friend since elementary school, George Worsham, posted this reflection: “Never known a harder working guy than Alvin. He was always a man among boys.”
Alvin had all sorts of interests: hunting, of course; fishing, when he could get away and the creeks were up; roping (a Texas specialty!); and playing music. Self-taught, he was versatile and could play both the fiddle and guitar. Imagine a family gathering with all those children, grandchildren, and brother and sisters. What joy there must have been.
Now, instead, they met for a sadder occasion, on July 6 in Crockett, Texas, to mourn his June 28, 2020 death from the dreaded COVID-19 virus.
Photograph of Alvin, obtained from The New York Times.
Alvin had been relieved when he learned in February 2020 that he would be transferred to the Duncan prison, a state facility for older inmates about 100 miles north of Houston. According to a New York Times article, Alvin assumed that the salt and pepper hair in the chow hall was a sign that conditions were better there than in his previous prisons. At one facility, Alvin had nearly died of pneumonia, his relatives said. “We were hoping that when he moved to Duncan he would be safe,” said Nelda Cramer, Alvin’s sister.
“Safe” while in prison during the pandemic in Texas? Texas has not actively participated in “compassionate release” during this pandemic, and the parole system is almost frozen. The state remains “more or less the epicenter of mass incarceration on the planet,” noted prison activist and blogger Scott Henson, writing in Grits for Breakfast.
The virus takes both the loved and the unloved. Alvin Murray was certainly one of the loved, one who will be missed.
This memorial was written by MOL team member Terri LeClerq with information from Alvin Murray’s online obituary with the Callaway Allee funeral home, from announcements by TDCJ, from data released by the COVID Prison Project, from The New York Times extensive research article of April 2021, and from reporting by Marie Gottschalk of In These Times and Scott Henson of Grits for Breakfast.