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Consul General was Sister City Supporter

Former UK Consul General in Houston, Iain R. Murray O.B.E. died suddenly at his home in Newbury, Berkshire, on 2 May, 2009, at the age of 64.


He was a good supporter of the Sister City relationship between Houston and the Grampian Region of Scotland. He took a close interest in the work of the Houston/Grampian Association and entertained a visiting Grampian-Houston Association exchange delegation at the Consul General’s residence.


A reception in celebration of Mr Murray’s life was hosted in Houston by the current Consul General Paul Lynch on 14 May.  Donations were made to multiple sclerosis research and Thrive, a charity that uses gardening to improve the lives of disabled people.  


A native of the Scottish Borders, Mr Murray studied political science at the University of Kent and international relations at the University of London before joining the UK Foreign and Commonweath Office. His first overseas posting in 1970 was to Ghana and he also served in Ethiopa, Brazil, Portugal, Malaysia and El Salvador.


In January, 2001 he took over as Consul General in Houston with responsibility for British interests in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Colorado. After more than 30 years’ service he retired from the FCO in 2004 and returned to the UK where he became managing director of an executive search firm Search Oil and Gas with offices in the UK and US.


In 2000 he was inducted as a Keeper of the Quaich in a ceremony at Blair Castle, Perthshire, by a society dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of Scotch whisky. The ceremony was attended by the US Ambassador to the UK.


Mr Murray is survived by his wife Norma, a daughter Andrea and son Innes.