Michael Lee Murray, of Black Hawk, SD, passed away Sunday, February 10th 2013, as the result of a stroke. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 14, 2013 from noon to 5 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel. A wake service begins at seven at St. Therese of the Little Flower in Rapid City, SD on Thursday, February 14th. Mass of Christian Burial will follow Friday, February 15th, at eleven am at St. Therese of the Little Flower in Rapid City, SD.

He was born December 21, 1946, to Helen (Lyons) and Chet Murray in Kadoka, SD. Mike spent a majority of his childhood in Kadoka and moved to Winner, SD, with his family in 1963, where he graduated high school in 1965. He moved to California for a short time after graduation before he joined the Army National Guard in 1966. He served four years with the South Dakota National Guard. After that, he did some work at Midwest Auto in Winner and ran stock cars during that time. He also did some land surveying with his father. Mike then joined his Uncle Father Don Murray taking a job at Sky Ranch for boys. Mike followed a division of the Sky Ranch, Wingspread, when it opened in Sturgis, working a total of 14 years there. He lived in Sturgis for several years and met his former wife, Mary Ellen (Eixenberger) during that time. They were married in 1979 and had two daughters, Angela and Holli. When their marriage ended, Mike moved to Rapid City and began his career with the Black Hills Children's Home in 1986. He worked nights while taking courses at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He was still employed there at the time of his death.

Mike dedicated his life to children. His kids and grandkids were his life. In total, he spent 41 years working with troubled youth. He was a gentle, nurturing man and got to share these ways not only with his own children, but with all of those whose lives he touched through his work. He greatly enjoyed taking the boys of Sky Ranch on fishing and camping trips as far north as Canada. He loved family gatherings and spending time with his many brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He enjoyed watching college football, was an avid Notre Dame fan and spent many Sundays in front of a Nascar race. He had a wonderful dry sense of humor and loved to laugh and joke. He was a thoughtful, patient, and intelligent man. He was an attentive listener, said little, but meant a lot. His shoulder was a soft one to cry on and his arms were a safe place in times of need. He will be dearly missed by those were blessed to know him.

He is survived by his daughter Angie and granddaughter Neveah, Sturgis, SD, his daughter Holli Murray and her fiancé Tyler Hanson and grandkids Alora, Christopher, Natalie, Chloe, and Lillian, his siblings Ron Murray, Doug Murray, Greg (Tammy)Murray, Chet Murray, Marcia(Jim Tolbert) Murray, Maureen Murray, Tracy(Tim) Johnson, all of Rapid City, and Janice(Andre) Zawitkowski, Centreville, VA, and Tim(June) Murray, Interlochen, MI.

He was preceded in death by his father, Chet Murray, his mother, Helen(Lyons) Murray, and sister, Patty Murray. A memorial has been established to Black Hills Children's Home.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com

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