Murray Knabb McComas

After graduating from Warren Area High School in 1954, Murray attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the Wharton School of Finance in 1958. While at Penn, he was also initiated into the Phi Phi Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He loved his alma mater and his Fraternity, both of which he would continue to serve for many years to come. He was awarded the Alumni Award of Merit at Penn in 1994. After fulfilling his ROTC commitment with the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, he went to work for Sigma Chi on the International headquarters staff. He continued to serve the Fraternity in various volunteer roles, culminating in him serving a term as the 58th President (Grand Consul) of Sigma Chi from 1993-1995.

Murray returned to his hometown of Warren, Pa., in 1962 to begin a job in the advertising department for the Blair Corporation. In 1975 he became vice president of advertising and was elected to the board of directors in 1977. He served as president and CEO from 1987 until his retirement in 1999. He was the first person unrelated to the Blair family selected to serve in those roles. He continued as chairman until 2003 and remained a director until the company was acquired in 2007.

He was a great believer and champion of his community and served in a variety of roles in local organizations and charities including The Community Foundation of Warren County, YMCA, Warren Sports Boosters, The Warren County Blood Bank, The United Way of Warren County, The Torchlight Campaign, and many others. He was a proud member of the Elks Club and the Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the Conewango Club where he was a Past President and a member of their bowling league on team NOZ.

He is survived by his wife and sweetheart of 53 years, Marie Oriole McComas, who he married on November 13, 1971, at Holy Redeemer Church of Warren. Murray was a wonderful father to Julia (Keith) Marie Paxman and to Donald (Elizabeth) Anthony McComas. He adored his three grandchildren: McKenna and Kellen Paxman and Waylon McComas. His children and grandchildren all reside in Warren, Vt., where Murray used to love to visit. His surviving siblings are Margy McComas Morris of Queensbury, N.Y., and Jeffrey (Jane) McComas of Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Murray was preceded in death by his parents, Edith and Don Sr. He was also preceded in death by brothers Donald McComas, Jr. and Andrew McComas, and sisters Charlotte McComas Zook, Patricia McComas Lundahl and Dorothy Drew McComas.

Friends and family will be received at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA., on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m. A private funeral service will be conducted at the convenience of the family, with the Rev. Tara Eastman, Pastor and Fr. Philip Oriole, brother-in-law, retired priest, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Warren, Pa. In addition, there will be a memorial service held for the family over the summer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Community Foundation of Warren County (310 Second Avenue, Warren, PA. 16365), The Sigma Chi Foundation, or The University of Pennsylvania. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com.