Ronald Eugene Murray, 66, formerly of New Madrid, Mo., died Aug. 17, 2016, in Chicago. Born Feb. 15, 1950, in New Madrid, to the late Homer and Helen Hawkins Murray, he retired as a firefighter, having served as the first African-American firefighter for Richmond Heights, Mo. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force,  served as civil service commissioner for Blue Island, Ill., and was a member of New Bethlehem Church. On  Oct. 14, 2006, he married Marilyn McGee, and she survives of the home. Also surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Reginald Paul and Cheryl Murray; one daughter, Carla Murray; two brothers Homer Murray Jr. and Narvell Hunt; two sisters, Versa Townsend and Delores Thornton; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, William Ralph Murray. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until time of service at noon Saturday at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in New Madrid.