Murray F. Wilson

POA President and “Protector” of City of Scottsdale and McCormick Ranch

Born: March 1, 1924, in Galesburg, Illinois

Passed Away: July 10, 2002, in Scottsdale, Arizona

McCormick Ranch lost its most ardent supporter when President Murray Wilson passed away on July 10, 2002. Murray had served on the McCormick Ranch POA Board of Directors for 22 years and held the position of President for 20 of those 22 years.

During a memorial service on July 12th, several people paid tribute to the very vocal “Protector of City of Scottsdale and McCormick Ranch”.

“Murray was an individual who sincerely cared about the entire community,” Mayor Mary Manross said.

“In-person, Murray had an expressive brow and quick wit,” City Councilman David Ortega said. “Murray and Janet Wilson worked as a team. They were my trusted advisors, knowing what was right for Scottsdale.”

John Faramelli, former City Zoning Administrator and current Capital Projects Administrator, who had dealings with Murray for a quarter of a century said, “Murray was devoted to making sure that a high quality of life was maintained at McCormick Ranch.”

The City’s Transportation General Manager, John Little, met Murray in 1987 when John was Mayor Herb Drinkwater’s Executive Assistant. “Murray was a frequent visitor to the Mayor’s office,” John recalled. “He had so much passion and zeal that he was just somebody you felt compelled to listen to. He prided himself in being able to focus on larger community issues and expressed frustration in petty complaints that people made.”

“I can’t think of a volunteer who has given more time to the community than Murray, except maybe Herb Drinkwater,” former Mayor Sam Campana said. “He was really a hands-on guy that we worked with, whether it was signage, trucks in the neighborhoods or the Pima Road configuration.”

“His devotion to the City was immense,” said Garth Saager, Executive Director of the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association, who worked with Murray nearly 21 years. “Although he served in numerous volunteer capacities under three Mayors—Herb Drinkwater, Sam Campana, and Mary Manross, McCormick Ranch was Murray’s passion. He gave unselfishly of his time, effort and resources to keep it the best property owners’ association in America. He gave and never asked for anything in return.”

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Murray, an attorney, bank executive, financial analyst and estate planner, was recognized as an expert in the area of bond funding. He served as President of the Estate Planning Councils and Financial Analysis Societies in both Kansas City and Phoenix. He lent his expertise to the City of Scottsdale as Chairman of Scottsdale’s Citizen Bond Review Commission and of the Citizen’s Budget Committee.

Additional commitments included the Water Resources Advisory Committee, the Citizens Cost of Services Committee, the Scottsdale School District Bond Oversight Committee and the Herb Drinkwater Sculpture Committee.

In December of 2000, the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association dedicated Murray Wilson Park in his honor for his many years of unselfish efforts on behalf of McCormick Ranch. Murray Wilson Park is located on Via Paseo Del Sur between Via Del Futuro and Via De Paz in the Paseo Village subdivision.

In addition, the Murray F. Wilson Scholarship Fund has been set up to provide a college scholarship for a deserving McCormick Ranch resident. Donations may be sent in care of the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association, 9248 N. 94th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.

We will all miss you, Murray. Thanks for your many years of contributions, dedication and, especially, your friendship.