Thomas Ray Murray
Awarded: Knight Commander’s Accolade – February 3, 2024
Conferred by Knight Commander King V. Aiken, Jr. at the 2024 Officer Training Conference at Marriott Louisville East in Louisville, Kentucky.
As an undergraduate, Tom served his chapter as Number III, V, and VII. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army, serving our Nation for more than twenty years and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. From 1994 to 1997, Tom was the Managing Director for Historic Newburgh, an Indiana non-profit dedicated to promoting and maintaining the character and growth of downtown Newburgh.
In addition to serving on the Delta Nu Chapter House Corporation, Tom served as president of the West Kentucky Alumni Chapter from 1983 to 1985. In 2001, he assumed the role as the Southern Indiana provisional chapter’s Alumnus Advisor where he helped guide the chapter from establishment to chartering as the Zeta Omicron Chapter in December 2003. To this day, Tom continues to serve in this role.
In 1973, Tom married his wife Elizabeth, after meeting her at Murray State. In 2008, Elizabeth was diagnosed with breast cancer and ultimately passed in 2011, after 38 years of marriage. During this difficult time in their life, Tom remained dedicated and present, and his character never wavered as he dealt with the loss of his KA Rose.
Tom is a member of the Traylor Court of Honor where he has served as Registrar and currently serves as Preceptor. He is also a member of the Candler Court of Honor and a member of the West Kentucky and Southern Indiana Alumni Chapters. He is a Forever KA participant, a member of the Loyal Order, a member of KA’s Military Division, and a six-year member of the KAOEF’s Crimson & Gold Society.
On January 20, 2024, the Southern Indiana Alumni chapter voted unanimously to change the “Alumnus of the Year” award to be named in Tom’s honor, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Zeta Omicron Chapter’s chartering.
Tom is the Chairman and Program Coordinator for the Southern Indiana Civil War Roundtable, a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, and a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 64. He resides in Evansville, Indiana, with Rita Rex. He has two daughters, Joanna and Sarah, and three grandchildren, Linus, Norah, and Adelais.