Zachary Evans Murray (aka Wishbone, aka Baaad Zack) died peacefully December 29, 2020 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center from injuries sustained in a fall at his home on Christmas day.
Zack was born in Gainesville, Georgia on March 28, 1957. He grew up in the infamous Springdale Road neighborhood, a magical, close- knit place where doors were not locked and where the neighborhood adults helped raise everyone else's children (otherwise, some of us would still be on parole). The kids played “Kick-the-Can” and other childhood games daily, incited each other to mischief and mayhem at every opportunity, and formed strong friendships which, for Zack, lasted all his life.
Even in childhood, Zack had an aptitude for adventure and excitement, displaying this talent early-on by burning down both the lot across the street (he and Putman playing with matches), and subsequently, Mayor Henry O. Ward’s pony barn (smoking cigarettes with Magoo). He was exceptionally skilled at taking things apart, but not so much at putting them back together. His childhood idol was Evel Knievel, and after a couple of years of running around the house incessantly making motorcycle noises (“wing, ding-ding-ding-ding”), he finally annoyed his parents into buying him a mini-bike. Zack then paid homage to his idol by frequently jumping his mini-bike over anything and everything that couldn’t get up and walk off. Fortunately, this idol worship phase ended when he took his mini-bike apart and couldn’t put it back together. One neighborhood friend was overheard to say, “Zack, you could tear up a x#%&^$! bowling ball.”
Zack attended Gainesville city schools where he starred on the athletic field in both football and baseball until sidelined by medical issues. He also excelled in social activities, fun, and laughter, but not academics. He was well known in the principal's office.
In high school, Zack was always surrounded by a large posse of great friends and fellow delinquents. He acquired a reputation as a ladies’ man, and his many girlfriends were always smart and attractive. While most Gainesville High students did not associate with school rivals, Zack did not discriminate. He found himself associated with a tightly-knit group of young women, most from Johnson High School, named The Mafia. They became lifelong friends whom he dearly loved, and they loved him.
When Zack was no longer able to play ball, he developed an appreciation for music. If asked, he might say that his greatest high school achievement was winning the Gainesville High School talent show with his band, "The Rubber Band," or maybe being voted "Best Looking" for The Radiator (the school yearbook), or maybe just graduating -- to a standing ovation. The principal Curtis Segars and vice principal Charlie Musselwhite could be heard leading the applause.
After graduation, Zack worked in the retail clothing business at several locations in Gainesville. Most would remember him from Martin’s Menswear, which later sent him to Albany, Georgia to manage their Albany Mall location. While in Albany, Zack also owned and operated a ladies’ clothing boutique named J Randle. Zack met many fine folks in Albany with whom he remained close friends after his departure from the city.
After returning to Gainesville in the early ‘90s, Zack started his next venture, a custom window blind and shutter manufacturing business. As an employer, Zack was kind and compassionate, often hiring those who were recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. Some worked out, and some did not, but in his words, “They all needed a job, a chance, and some hope.”
In 2004, Zack suffered a disabling stroke that left him unable to work. His balance, eyesight, right hand, vocal cords, and sleep patterns were all affected. Thankfully, his sense of humor and personality remained intact. While hospitalized with the stroke, Zack lost circulation to his right hand and required partial amputation of most of his right fingers and thumb. Fortunately for Zack, his most useful digit, the middle finger, remained unscathed, and he loved to show it off. He also loved to see people out and about, and instead of saying, “gimmie five,” he would say, “gimmie three” while giggling hysterically, as three was all he had left to give!
Zack was fun-loving and charismatic. He demanded center stage and needed to be the life of any party. Although he could be a rascal, he was by nature kind, compassionate, generous, and big-hearted to a fault. He was always there for family, friends, and even strangers (though he rarely met one). When unable to work after his stroke, Zack found purpose helping his parents, particularly his father during his declining years. He was truly a blessing as a son, brother, uncle and friend. He genuinely loved everybody, and made awesome friends wherever he went. He leaves a huge, outsized hole in our hearts, but not in our memories. As best stated by his friend Coleman Reynolds, "We will miss him terribly -- sometimes.”
Zack was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Hamil Murray. He is survived by his mother, Alma S. Murray, brother and sister-in-law Bond and Lisa Murray, brother and sister-in-law Tom and Donna Murray, and sister and brother-in-law Paula (his favorite sibling) and Robin Sawyer. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, and by friends he loved dearly, including members of The Mafia, The Wednesday Night Supper Group, and special friends Tharpe Ward, Jimmy Putman, Jim Grogan, Coleman Reynolds, Juan Luna, and Brandi McGuigan.
Due to COVID precautions, Zack’s funeral will be a family graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the charity of one's choice.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
77-297-6200 www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com
