VERNARD OSCAR MURRAY, the first son of the late Alfred and Mae Carlester Murray, was born May 3, 1926 in Freetown, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Vernard, who was better know as Oscar, and his brothers and sisters werer brought up on the "Home Place" by their maternal grnadmother, Elizabeth Hogan after the death of their mother. When the Lord called Oscar to his heavenly home unepectedly, on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, he went with a smile on his face. Oscar completed his formal education in the one room schoolhouse of Freetown, Maryland. He had a love of learning and continued to read and edcate himself throughtout his life. Oscar spent muchof his time in Pigtown, South Baltimore where he met the late Jean Phyllis Murray. The two were married on November 15, 1952. Oscar was the proud father of seven daughters and oneson. Oscar was a career military man, who began his career in the army at an early age and later joined the Air Force, He was a verteran of the Korean War, had the opportuniy to tavel to Germany, Turky, Morroco and Egypt and lived in The Phillipines, California and New Jersey with his family. Oscar was baptiszed at Berea Bible Chapel In Baltimore, Maryland in the late 1980's. Oscar retied from the military in 1971 and lived the rest of his life loving, giving and caring for others. His Personal ministry was visiting the sick and shut-in and bring comfort and a word of encouragement to the bereaved. Whatever life brought his way, Oscar faced it with optimism, patience and a sence of humor. Whatever the situation, he would say"it's all part of the human experince." He loved to laugh and loved spending time with family and friends. His motto was "can do, will do." Oscar leaves a legacy of love to 7 daughters, Vondalee Cowling, Verajean Whittenburg, Trea Fortune, Aquanette Spellman, Michalle Scott, Tanya Murray, Babette Kinzer;1 son, Vernard "Craig"Murray II;2sons-in-law, Miles Whittenburg, Jr., Gregory Scott;3 Sisters, Cathernie Conway, Myrtle Goodwin, Lilliemae Brown, 2 brothers, Marcellus and Eugene Murray, 1 brother-in-law, Frank"Gene"Brown; 1 sister-in-law, Betty Murray; 27 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends too numerous to count. He will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.