Joseph Murray Jr., Who Made Athletics His Business, Avocation

For more than half a century, the name of Joseph Murray Jr. has been synonymous with high-school athletics.

Not only was he a star athlete at Queen Anne High School, but his company, Athletic Supply Co., equipped many of the area's young athletes.

Mr. Murray died May 31 in Mesa, Ariz., of complications following a stroke. He was 78.

Born in Seattle in 1914, Mr. Murray was a member of Queen Anne High School's basketball, football and track teams.

He went on to play football at the University of Oregon, and went to work for A.G. Spaulding Co., a longtime Seattle sporting-goods store.

In 1932 he joined Athletic Supply Co., eventually becoming part owner and president of the firm.

He served in the Army during World War II, serving in the Philippines, where he helped organize sporting events.

Although Mr. Murray left active duty in 1946, he continued in the Army Reserve. At 6-foot-4, he had an imposing presence as he recruited high-school athletes for the reserves, said friends.

He retired in 1970 as a brigadier general.

Mr. Murray worked for Athletic Supply until he retired in 1976. Following his retirement he spent several years volunteering for the Seattle Metro League, helping coaches purchase athletic equipment.

"We needed Joe Murray's help and he never took any pay," said John Boitano, former coach at Garfield High School and athletic coordinator for the Metro League. "I'm a better man because I got to know Joe Murray."

Friends say he stressed safety in purchasing athletic equipment.

"He had a real zest for life," said Bud Pripp, former coach at West Seattle High School and a longtime friend.

"He was awfully good with young coaches in the city of Seattle, helping them out," Pripp recalled. "He was a very strong-willed man with a good sense of humor."

Mr. Murray leaves a long list of accomplishments: president of the National Sporting Goods Association, president of the state Reserve Officers Association, chairman of the armed-services division of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, president of the Seattle Retired Coaches Association, and member of the Seattle Rotary, American Legion Seattle Post No. 1, and the Rainier Golf and Country Club.

He is survived by his son, Joseph III, of Seattle, and daughters Leslie Hartman of Woodinville and Mary Hernandez of Pakistan; and three grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Acacia Memorial Park, 14951 Bothell Way N.E. The family asks that remembrances be sent to the Pacific Northwest Research Foundation in care of Dr. William B. Hutchinson, 720 Broadway, Seattle 98122.