Johnny Lee Murdaugh, Sr. was born November 24, 1947 in Hampton County to the late Ruth Gantt and David Murdaugh, Sr. He was the grandson of the late Francener Brown of Varnville, South Carolina, who loved, nurtured, and raised him to be a man of integrity, talent, and purpose. Mr. Murdaugh was initiated into Lambda Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in 1966 and graduated from Claflin College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and earned a Master of Education degree from South Carolina State University. Psalm 41: "Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever."

…And the Two Shall Become One
During his time at Claflin College, he met the love of his life, Thelma Louise Ulmer. On April 11, 1969, they married and began their own family. If you saw one, you saw the other, and he loved her unconditionally. Their love grew into three heartbeats, and those three added eight more heartbeats. He would often show his grandchildren her college picture and ask, "Do y'all know who this pretty lady is?" Proverbs 18:22 "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."

May the Work I've Done Speak for Me
After graduating from Claflin, Johnny served as the band director at Brewer High School and Northside Junior High School. Later, he became the Director of Bands at Hunter Kinard-Tyler High School in Norway, South Carolina. He loved music and believed in its ability to strengthen academic success and its power to transcend barriers. Additionally, he worked as a Distance and Career Education Counselor for the South Carolina Department of Corrections at Manning Correctional Institution. Later, he served as Principal of both The MacDougall Correctional Center and Ridgeland Correctional Institution for 17 years before retiring in 1996. After retir-ing, he went back to his love of music and taught band at Allendale Middle, Felton Laboratory, and Edisto-Carver Middle Schools.
To make it easier for families to lease, purchase, and repair quality instruments, Mr. Murdaugh and his family established The Music Doctor, Inc. The Music Doctor also serves as a hub to provide private instruction, and music trophies for outstanding young musicians. The estab-lishment contributes to school music programs in six counties, as well as colleges such as Claflin University, South Carolina State University, Benedict College, Allen University, and Voor-hees University. For President Obama's inauguration, The Music Doctor supported the Man-ning High School Band by donating its services to repair at no-cost all instruments, both stu-dent-owned and school-owned, ensuring a successful performance. Seeing a need for a safe, family-friendly entity, Mr. Murdaugh and his family founded The Max Family Entertainment Center.

Gifted Hands
In his free time for many years, Johnny was a master carpenter and licensed contractor. He designed and constructed countless one-of-a-kind kitchen, bathroom, and wall cabinets. When his grandchildren were born, he designed and constructed their first rocking chairs, ba-by changing tables and cribs. Additionally, the last thing he designed and constructed were stairs before he retired his craft. His sister, Hattie, said when they were younger, he would find pieces of board to create things for her. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Accolades and Memberships
Mr. Murdaugh was recognized as Supervisor of the Year by both the MacDougall Correctional Center and Ridgeland Correctional Institution. He had also been honored as Omega Man of the Year and inducted into the Claflin University Hall of Fame. He served as chairman of the Training Council, President of the South Carolina Correctional Education Association, and was a member of the South Carolina Department of Corrections Training Council. He served as an adjunct professor of music at Charleston Southern University and was president of the Orange Pride Marching Band Boosters at Wilkinson High School in Orangeburg. He was a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators and the South Carolina Association of Secondary School Principals. Additionally, he held the positions of Basileus and Keeper of Records and Seal of the Epsilon Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Mr. Murdaugh's memberships included the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Orangeburg Development Association (DORDA), the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the National Association of School Music Dealers (NASMD), the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPIRT), the Music Educators National Conference, the South Carolina Band Directors Association, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the International Adventure and Trampoline Park Associa-tion, Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the North Orangeburg United Methodist Church Board of Trustees. He also served on the Board of Directors for First Steps, the State Club Board of Directors, Low Country Medical Transport, and Low Country Family Services.
Mr. Murdaugh was a founding member of the Santee Band Conference and served in various capacities over the years. He organized the first instrumental music program in the Elloree School District and received numerous recognitions for community service, including the Orangeburg School District's Parent of the Year award. He was also known for sponsoring a soccer team in the Orangeburg area.
Loved Ones Who've Gone on Before
Johnny, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents; his grandmother; his brothers; Frank Gantt and Mondell Murdaugh, his father and mother-in-law; James and Alma Ulmer; his brothers-in-law; Carl, Patro, and Willie Ulmer; his sisters-in-law; Mattie Ulmer, Jean James and Hazel Ulmer.

"Family is not an important thing, it's everything."
Left to cherish his memories are his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Thelma Ulmer Murdaugh, of Orangeburg, South Carolina; three heartbeats: Dr. Johnny L'Mort Murdaugh, Jr. (Christia), Rev. Albert Larenzo Murdaugh (Cassandra), and Dr. Trina Louise Gordon (Kareem); Eight Heartbeats: Brandon Dontai Lee, Albert James Murdaugh, Jr., Sydney Grace-Louise Murdaugh, Aysha Jone' Murdaugh, Adrian Larenzo Murdaugh, Jahntia Leigh Murdaugh, Kole Landon Gordon, and Kruz Landric Gordon; Special Uncle and Aunt: Theodore and Betty Murdaugh; Bonus Mom: Marilyn Murdaugh; God Child: Will (Deboria and Morgan) Outlaw; Brothers: Leroy Gantt (Betty), Alvin Murdaugh (Vivian), Arthur Vaughan (Peggy), David Murdaugh (Michelle), Jonathan Murdaugh (Jacqueline); Bonus Brother: Rev. Jeremy Huggins (Kayla); Sisters: Katherine Williams, Hattie Mae Askew (Shelly), Carolyn Likes (James), Gwendolyn Hampton (George), Patricia Snow; Brothers and Sisters-in-law: James Ulmer,III (Linda), George Ulmer (Sirvasteen), Albert Ulmer (Debra), Lessie Hunter, Loretta Whetstone (Rev. Booker), Mary Ulmer and Yvonne Gantt; Uncle: Edward Murdaugh (Dorthy); Special Cousins: Frank Loadholt and Ben Loadholt; The Three Musketeers: Rev. Sam Glover and Chief Charles Austin; and host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Johnny had a distinct love for God, his family, church, fraternity, alma mater, music, and community. He leaves behind a legacy to be cherished and fulfilled by all of the lives he has touched.

The family will greet friends at their residence, 117 Patro Lane, Cameron, SC between the hours of 2:00 – 6:00 pm, on Friday and Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Claflin University's Band Program, 400 Magnolia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115, in loving memory of Johnny Murdaugh.