The last riding mower was produced at Lawrenceburg, TN.

I was so moved by the events that happened this 30th. day of Aug. 2005 that it prompted me to sit down and pen what I remember that happened.

As the day wore on and noon arrived, many employees having been permanently laid off from Murray Inc. began to load their tool boxes, shake hands and say their goodbyes and walked out the door. Many of whom would probably never darken the doors again and not ever cross paths again with each other or with those who were left to work awhile longer.

However, that was not the most moving or should I say emotional part of the day. Around 1:00 P.M. I heard that the last rider mower that would ever be run at Murray, Inc. in Lawrenceburg, TN was now going down the line. I and many others left the tool room either trekking or riding and merged upon the area where the line was located. Employees and management were lining the aisles sitting on lift trucks or “tow motors“ as they are so well known at Murray, 3 wheel bicycles, and battery operated Cushman* carts, or just standing. As we approached we saw employees, both men and women, on both sides of the line as they usually are.

Here is the moving part. As we stood or sat there we began to notice that as each of these people finished with their particular job on that last mower, they would lay down their tools, take off their gloves and shake hands with the supervisors who were moving along with the line. After shaking hands with the supervisors, the men would shake hands with each other, the ladies would embrace each other and others around them including the men, then each would take a magic marker that was handed to them and sign their name somewhere on the body of that last mower.

As the line went to the next operation, then these two employees would lay down their tools, pull off their gloves and shake the hands of the supervisors, then shake hands or embrace each other and others around them. This repetition went on for many, many stations down the line with some shedding tears. Many were leaving after saying their goodbyes and not looking back.

As that last mower was nearing the end, much of the line had been vacated. The next to last operation consisted of two men boxing the mower and sending it down to the very last of the line operations, which consisted of crating the mower. I stood in awe as the last operation ended and the mower was taken away by a lift truck or “tow motor” which had been standing by.

As I stood there watching the people disperse, I was reminded of a funeral of an old friend as the coffin is closed and carried away by a hearse. The line being the bier, the box and crate being the coffin and the lift truck or “tow motor” as being the hearse carrying away an old friend........

As silence fell upon this area, I looked down the long assembly line with all the lights still gleaming and saw and felt the cold silence and loneliness because it was now still and all the employees had gone their separate ways. I can still see those last two men as they finished with their handshakes, picking up their jackets, putting them on, picking up their lunch bucket and turning around and walked straight for the door without looking back.

As I reflected on this, I kept seeing in my mind the gray hair and aged faces of many of these employees and thought how many of them have spent their entire working lives here. Many starting at the early age of 18 and right out of high school, giving the best part of their lives, and giving a fair days work for a fair days pay. Many working the better part of the almost 50 years that Murray has been in Lawrenceburg. Some will retire and many will be going out into a new occupational world, starting over and not knowing what is next or what to expect.

My last thought was that almost the entire community was totally unaware of what went on and how history was made today at Murray (Ohio) this 30th day of August, 2005.........

Doyce T. Shaddix

Written by Loyd Davey Jolly:

Murray, Inc. Formerly Murray Ohio Mfg. Co.

Murray moved from Cleveland Ohio in the early 50's.

The Corporate office is located in Brentwood, TN with the Manufacturing facility located in Lawrenceburg, TN.  Murray, Inc will be closing forever on Sept. 30, 2005.

I started working at Murray in 1977 and plan to continue there until they close.

My Dad, James Loyd Jolly, worked at Murray for almost 20 years starting in 1956.  Dad was a Bi-Vocational Preacher while he worked there until he resigned to become a Full Time Pastor in Lawrence County TN in 1976.  You can see more information about my Dad and our family by clicking here.

Murray has been a family oriented business with many generations working there.  When I started in 1977 I couldn't go anywhere in the plant without someone asking about Dad and automatically reminiscing about the fun times they had around him.  They always brought up some story about hot chocolate laced with a chocolate-looking medicine that helped with constipation.  I think the plan backfired and someone had to go home early that day.  The story seemed to change characters every time I heard it.

Even today, some of the old-timers that started working at Murray in the 50's recall stories with me about Dad.  One man said he would walk up to the group where Dad was having lunch and ask a question about politics.  Then he would get out of the way and let politics and religion take their natural humorous course of debate with no one ever winning.  These old-timers always leave my presence smiling and laughing, and so do I.

Yes, we have people working there who have been employed at Murray for almost 50 years.  One Lady is almost 70 and still going strong.  We all will surely miss each other.

We all thank you,
Loyd Davey Jolly

A website that displays some Murray Ohio Pedal Cars from the 60's

Do you know who designed the first Murray Toy Cars and Bicycles?

Murray made a Baby Stroller in 1951?

Murray made a Mobile Adjustable Fan!

Murray made a Toy Pedal Airplane!

Murray made a Toy Racing Pace Car!

Murray made a Toy Pull Behind Wagon!

Murray made a Tricycle with double-step on the back!

Do you recall the "Supersonic Looking" Bicycle!!!

Murray made a metal Lawn Chair!

The first riding mower. The idea came from the pedal cars!

Mr. William Hannon Dies
William Hannon
Mon, Sep 26, 2005

William Murray Hannon, 86, of Sea Island, Georgia, and formerly of Nashville, Tennessee, died Saturday, September 24, 2005, after a long illness.

Born May 13, 1919, in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of the late C. W. Hannon and Nora Murray Hannon. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from University School. He attended the University of Notre Dame before entering the United States Army during World War II.

After the Army, he joined the Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company, a New York Stock Exchange company started by his father. In the mid-1950s, he and his father made the decision to move the company to Tennessee with the plant in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and the headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. In Lawrenceburg, he met and married, in 1957, Jane Carol Powell. At the time of his retirement, he served as Chairman of the Board of Murray. While in Tennessee, he was active in many civic, charitable and religious concerns, including serving on the boards of Vanderbilt University, Montgomery Bell Academy, Third National Bank and Cumberland Heights as well as being a communicant of St. Henry's Roman Catholic Church.

After his retirement, he moved to his home on Sea Island, continuing an active membership at St. William's Roman Catholic Church. He also remained active in civic and charitable affairs, including serving on the Economic Development Authority of Glynn County and fund raising for the American Cancer Society. An avid and enthusiastic golfer all his life, he was a member of numerous clubs. While in Cleveland, he was club champion at the Pepper Pike Club. On Sea Island, he was a proud member of Ocean Forest Golf Club.

Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Jane Carol Hannon, their five sons, five incredible daughters-in-law and 13 blessed grandchildren: Tom and Nell Ann Hannon (Will, Janie, Christian Carpenter and Caleb Carpenter) of Nashville, Tennessee; John and Carolyn Hannon (Avery) of Nashville, Tennessee; Dan and Laura Hannon (Michael and Kristin) of Houston, Texas; Chris and Jenny Hannon (Mary Kate, Halina, Caroline and Megan) of Nashville, Tennessee; and Bob and Lloyd Hannon (Murray and Ivey) of Nashville, Tennessee.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a. m. Tuesday in St. William's Roman Catholic Church of St. Simons Island with Father John Kenneally presiding.

The family will receive friends at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday and suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society, 3011 Hampton Avenue, Brunswick, GA 31520 or Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525.

Information Collected From: http://www.realizehope.com/About-MurrayMemories.htm