Donovan Ray Murray

Donovan Ray Murray of Grassy Creek, NC, passed away with his wife by his side on May 14, 2022 after a long battle with cancer.

Donovan was born in Durham, NC to the late Donovan Joe Murray and Patricia Penny Murray.  He is survived by his wife Cynthia Richardson; sons Ian and Devan Murray of Durham, NC; sister Kimberly Murray of Hillsborough, NC, numerous cousins, and a large extended family of friends, entertainers, and musicians throughout the world. Growing up in Durham, he graduated from Southern High School and later attended East Carolina University.

Donovan’s Scottish heritage and love of music were instrumental in his participation in worldwide events. This included working and consulting with a dozen different festivals in five states and six guided tours of Scotland since 2010. He was the founder of Celtic Force Enterprises and specialized in music and entertainment production of all kinds, particularly classic rock and Celtic venues. His resume included the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Tartan Day South Highland Games and Celtic Festival, New River Blues Festival, and Christmas in July to name a few.

Memorial tributes to celebrate Donovan’s life in Durham and in Ashe County are pending.