The Spady Museum launched Afternoon Insights with a lively and heartfelt session featuring Dennis Murry—who joined us on his birthday, no less! From life on Clint Moore Farm to his time in Vietnam, Dennis shared powerful stories filled with history, humor, and hometown pride.
Life on the Farm
In the early part of his life, Dennis Murry grew up on a farm his family worked on called Clint Moore Farm. After a labor dispute, the farm transitioned to employing Mexican laborers. Following this incident, his family moved into town. Dennis shared fascinating details that expanded on what we already knew about Delray Beach’s history. He spoke about the beach riots, the rise in tourist trading, the Spady house, and Solomon Spady’s influence on local schools. Unfortunately, he was unable to provide additional information about the mysterious Mrs. Spady.
Carver Roots &State University
He was a graduate of Carver High School in the 1960s and went on to attend Kentucky State University on a track scholarship. Dennis’s athletic talents spanned a wide range of sports, including track, tennis, and swimming. The most intriguing part of his college experience was when he was expelled for a year after participating in a protest.
Dafted
Dennis attempted to avoid being drafted into the Army, but ultimately, it became unavoidable. His narrative about his experiences as a Black soldier in Vietnam drew everyone in. Despite the often gruesome and serious nature of war stories, Dennis’s account was surprisingly humorous, as he used humor to recount his experiences. The most entertaining part was his initial attempts to leave the Army.
Local Stories
Dennis was hired by the City of Delray Beach while serving as a military reservist. He was recruited to work on the beach to help the city address its lack of diversity in order to qualify for grants. During his years working there, he faced racism and recounted numerous incidents, ranging from racial discrimination to encounters with shark bites.
Dennis’s story was truly captivating at our first “Afternoon Insights” session, and he is certainly an inspiration for both young people and adults.