Comments on: Column: A Life Lived Fully

By: Brad T.

Brad T. — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:38:29 +0000

Vada got talked into playing softball on a team that I was on, The Twilight Zone. We were older and slower than he, but Vada just took it all in stride. He had fun and we sure made him look good by the rest of us being so bad. At Mitchell Field, no team ever hit a ball over his head, he could run down anything and had a cannon for an arm. His patience and good nature will certainly be missed. He is the true definition of a “Michigan Man”.

By: Carl Lumberg

Carl Lumberg — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:38:07 +0000

This story is crying out for the pic the author is referencing …

By: abc

abc — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:22:27 +0000

Visitation will take place at Nie Funeral Home at 3767 West Liberty Street.

Tuesday, April 12th & Wednesday, April 13th from 4 – 8 pm.

Memorial service for Vada will take place on Thursday, April 14th at 11:00 am at Cliff Keen Arena. Burial for family and police only will follow service.

By: cosmonıcan

cosmonıcan — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:33:56 +0000

Is this the case of cancer which has been blamed on the Radon at City Hall? Are there other victims too?

I’m not trying to rattle any cages, just curious.

By: Charles Scrase

Charles Scrase — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 20:54:12 +0000

When I was a 16 year old kid, some friends of mine and I were out late one night looking for trouble. I was trying to fit in, and had agreed to drive around some buddies who thought it would be fun to try to steal something from an open vehicle. We didn’t get very far – the police car swooped in on us in the parking lot and I ended up in the back of a squad car with Vada Murray.

When I was younger, I was a huge Vada Murray fan. I was a Michigan fanatic – my parents were both graduates and I lived and breathed Michigan football. In the back of that squad car, Vada told me that I was a disgrace to the block M on the hat I was wearing. He was right.

5 years later I was a Michigan grad, and had a better understanding of what Vada meant. He had a tremendous pride for the University of Michigan and the family it represented. Like a big brother, he gave some teenager he didn’t know a little bit of tough love.

I used to see Vada at my gym and always wanted to share with him the positive impact he had on me, but never got up the nerve to do so. I regret it – he was an inspiring figure to me and I’m glad our paths crossed when they did. I never forgot that lesson he taught me, and consider myself a much better person for it.

Thank you Vada, may you rest in peace.

By: Janet Storm

Janet Storm — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:48:16 +0000

A beautiful tribute, John, Well done indeed.

By: Scott Wielenga

Scott Wielenga — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:13:06 +0000

The Love heard from the WTKA tribute show tells how much Vada was loved and how he lived his life.

By: ginny archer

ginny archer — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:45:43 +0000

Ditto-

Ginny Archer

By: anna ercoli schnitzer

anna ercoli schnitzer — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:12:57 +0000

Thanks for this, John. I am writing this through my tears.