Murry N. DePillars, a professor emeritus and retired dean of school of arts at Virginia Commonwealth University, died Saturday at his Richmond home.

A native of Chicago, Mr. DePillars joined the faculty at VCU in 1971. After taking a leave to complete his Ph.D. in art education at Pennsylvania State University, Mr. DePillars was named dean of the school of arts in 1977.

During his tenure, Mr. DePillars helped the art program at VCU grow on the national level. When he retired in June 1995, the VCU arts school at 2,500 students and was one of the largest in the country.

A passion for arts that began when he was growing up in Chicago extended beyond his own paintings. An avid lover of jazz, Mr. DePillars was a driving force in promoting jazz in Richmond. He worked closely with the Richmond Jazz Society from its infancy and helped bring jazz acts to VCU and Richmond.

Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.