Franklin County commissioner dies

RUSSELLVILLE — District 1 Franklin County Commissioner Michael Lewis Murray died Sunday. He was 52.

Commission Chairman Barry Moore said Murray’s presence on the commission will be “greatly missed.”

“We’re going to take time to mourn,” Moore said. “He’d just been here a short period of time … but he loved his job … and helping people.”

Murray was just sworn into his position as District 1 commissioner in November 2024.

District 1 is the east side of Franklin County up to the Lawrence County lines, Moore said.

Fellow commissioner, Greg Hovater (District 2) said he and Murray had one more upcoming training session to complete in June for their roles as commissioners.

Hovater, who knew Murray before their time on the commission began, said Murray was “a really good, down-to-earth guy you could always depend on” for help.

“Michael was always willing to help people,” Hovater said. “I think he felt like he could make a difference and try to serve his community better. He had a lot of connections and knew a lot of people.”

This, Hovater believed, was because of Murray’s lifelong connections to Franklin County and his years of dedicated work serving the people in his community.

Hovater said Murray worked as a maintenance mechanic for Franklin County Schools for many years before moving to Russellville City Schools in April.

Additionally, Murray owned M&G Auto Services.

Sheriff Shannon Oliver said that folks in the community just knew the business as “Michael Murray’s shop,” and he noted that Murray was well known and respected in his field of work.

“He’s always been a hard worker and a very good guy,” Oliver said.

Hovater and Moore both said although the time he spent on the commission was short, Murray would be missed going forward.

“Three of us were new on the commission … and we’re the only people we’ve ever done this job with,” Hovater said. “It’s going to be different.”

Spry Memorial Chapel is handling Murray’s funeral arrangements.