An Albemarle County businessman and environmentalist who spent nearly a decade in the General Assembly has died. Democrat Jim Murray was first elected to the House of Delegates (pictured) in 1973. The New Jersey native was 94 when he died Friday at his Earlysville home.

Murray’s career as an elected official ended when he narrowly lost to Republican George Allen in November 1982. Murray also lost a rematch with Allen in 1983. They were rivals in the 58th House district, which included parts of Albemarle and all of Nelson County during the 1980’s. Murray later served as a Democratic representative on the Albemarle County Electoral Board. He became a widower in 2012, and he’s survived by seven sons and nearly two dozen grandchildern.