Johnston Murray, Governor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnston_Murray

Johnston Murray (July 21, 1902 – April 16, 1974) was the 14th Governor of Oklahoma, from 1951 until 1955. He was a member of the Democratic Party. His father, William H. Murray, was also a governor of the state. Murray served as Governor from January 8, 1951, to January 1955. He served as an attorney with the Oklahoma State Department of Welfare until his death April 16, 1974. Johnston Murray is buried at Tishomingo along with his father.

Biography

Murray was born July 21, 1902, in the mansion of the Chickasaw Nation's Governor at Emet, Johnston County, Indian Territory. His early education was governed by the location of the work of his famous father, former Gov. William H. Murray.

Murray married Marion Draughon of Sulphur, Oklahoma, in 1923, and had one child. They divorced six years later and he married Willie Roberta Emerson in 1933.

Career

After graduation from the Murray State School of Agriculture (now Murray State College) in 1924, he went to Bolivia where he lived for four years trying to make a success of his father's colonization expedition there. He received his law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1947. He was chairman of the Oklahoma Electoral College in 1940, and a member of the Electoral College again in 1948. Murray served as governor from 1951 to 1955. He attempted to reduce state spending but was blocked by state legislators.Since he was prohibited, constitutionally, from succeeding himself, his wife, Willie. ran for governor in 1954 but failed to win. A few months later there was a bitter divorce with Willie accusing Murray of public drunkenness and adultery. The divorce was final in 1956 and he later married Helen Shutt. Murray moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and worked for an oil well servicing company and later with a limousine service. Murray returned to Oklahoma City and formed a law partnership with Whit Pate in February, 1960. He was a consulting attorney for the Oklahoma Department of Welfare.

Death

Murray served as an attorney with the Oklahoma Department of Public Welfare until his death April 16, 1974. He is buried in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, where his father, William Murray is also buried.