Lewis Virgil Murray III, 67, of Bogalusa, died in the early hours of April 29, 2018, at his hunting camp near Natchez, Miss.

Mr. Murray was the son of Coach Lewis Murray Jr. and Frances Murray. After graduating from Bogalusa High School in 1969, he accepted a football scholarship and continued his education at Tulane University, where he was a center on the 1970 Liberty Bowl team that was later inducted into the Tulane Sports Hall of Fame. After graduating in 1973 from Tulane University, he was accepted to the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University where he received his Juris Doctor in 1976. He was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar on Oct. 1, 1976, and practiced law for more than 40 years.

Lewis dedicated his life to public service, while working at the District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney for more than 33 years, including 25 years as a member of the Capital District Committee. He was an active member of his community, serving as a Deacon and in various committees at First Baptist Church of Bogalusa, acting as Scoutmaster for Troop 86 of the Boy Scouts of America for more than 20 years, volunteering as chairman for the Washington Parish Fair Lost-and-Found, and various other civic activities. He also accompanied First Baptist on several mission trips, including multiple trips to Seldovia, Alaska. Lewis was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed cooking for his friends and family. He loved most of all spending time with family including his five beloved grandchildren.

Lewis was preceded in death by his father, Coach Lewis Murray Jr.; and his mother and father-in-law, Hershel and Marcelle McKenzie.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Debbie McKenzie Murray; his three sons, Lewis Virgil Murray IV and his wife Elizabeth, Daniel McKenzie Murray and his wife Crystal, and Patrick Grayson Murray and his wife Cara; and his five grandchildren, James, Andrew, Kate, Charlotte and Lanie Kaye. Lewis also leaves his mother, Frances Smith Murray; his siblings, Bill Murray and his wife Lisa, Jan Murray and W. W. Davis, and Mike Murray and Lisa Crain; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa will be handling arrangements. Visitation was held at First Baptist Church of Bogalusa from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1, and will continue from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, followed by services at 11 a.m. Bro. Greg Whaley will officiate and interment will follow at Garden of Peace Cemetery in Bogalusa.

Pallbearers will be members of Troop 86 of the Boy Scouts of America with the deacons from First Baptist Church of Bogalusa acting as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can please be made to First Baptist Church of Bogalusa or Camp Living Waters in Robert.

To view and sign the guestbook, visit online at www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.