Phillip T. "Murray" Homan

Phillip T. "Murray" Homan, age 80, of Powder Springs, Georgia passed away May 17, 2024. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 24, 2024 at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel in Marietta, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, May and George Homan, brother Barry Homan and nephew Patrick Homan.

Survivors include: son: Brent Homan and Krista, daughter:  Keri Homan, grandchildren: Connor and Alexa Homan, sisters: Maureen Tobia and Colleen (Jay) Myers and nieces and nephews, Andy, Scott Homan, Michael and Marc Tobia and Rose Meyers.

Born in Dublin, Ireland and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Murray attended Calvert Hall Prep School on a swimming scholarship and later attended the University of Maryland. He also served in the Maryland National Guard. In 1973 he moved to Powder Springs, Georgia to acquire his first of many business ventures in Georgia.

For 30 years, Murray was the owner of Sun Valley Beach in Powder Springs where he transformed a struggling local attraction to a thriving business including the largest swimming pool in the Southeast with waterslides, picnic areas, tennis, go-karts and a children's summer day camp. Additionally, the business hosted company picnics and events for as large as 10,000 guests. Sun Valley Beach was 1989 Small Business of the Year for the South Cobb Division of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. During this time, Sun Valley was the go to place for summer jobs for the local area. 1,000's of teens enjoyed their first job experience as life guards, concession workers and grounds staff at Sun Valley.

After retiring from the business in 2001, the serial entrepreneur, acquired Dogwood Golf Club in Austell. Murray was active in the business until his passing, guiding his two partners and employees with his knowledge of the recreation industry.

Along the way, Murray was active in the community and served on many local boards and political races. Red Cross Board of Directors, Cobb Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Cobb Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, South Cobb Rotary, South Cobb Improvement Association, Optimist Club, International Swimming Hall of Fame Board of Directors, Cobb Community Foundation, organizing Director of a local Bank and Founding Partner of West Cobb Funeral Home.

For 30 years, Murray was on the Cobb County Planning Commission and served as the Chairman of the Commission for over 20 of the years. During that time he was instrumental in shaping the landscape of Cobb County balancing the rights of homeowners and landowners during periods of tremendous growth. Initiatives included under his Chairmanship included revamping Cobb's development regulations to better protect community greenspace as well as the entitlement and development of Truist Park and The Battery mixed use development. In 2023, he was honored at the Community Development Building by the local zoning attorneys and staff by having a portrait dedicated for his service as well as a meeting room named in his honor.

An avid boater who often traveled the waterways of South Florida and the Bahamas as a sailor or power boater. affectionately known as Captain Run-a-Ground!

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta, Georgia. 

Online guest book at www.westcobbfuneralhome.com.