Raymond "Ray" Eugene Murray passed away on June 18, 2013, at the age of 81; he now rests with all of his dearest friends and family whom have entered into God's care before him.
Ray was born on July 1, 1931, to Glenn and Ida (Thein) Murray while living at Volunteer, SD. He grew up during the dirty thirty's which sculpted his whole life starting with his childhood. His first school experience involved riding a horse three miles to and from the Wetz School at age 6. By the spring of 1938, his parents moved west of Sturgis where he attended first grade at the Hansen School. The rest of his elementary and high school education was in the Sturgis School District where he participated and lettered in football, basketball and band; graduating in 1950. During Ray's senior year, he joined the National Guard and was called to active duty in June of 1950. During his service, he volunteered to leave Sturgis earlier then the troops and was one of the eight security men that rode the freight train and guarded the equipment all the way to Ft. Bragg, NC. After training with Company C, he was assigned to the 200th Engineers to help train draftees in preparing to fight in the Korean Conflict. Ray was promoted to Sergeant 1st class and assigned to the V Corp Headquarters. He was stationed in Germany where he was busy inspecting floating bridges on Rhine River. In October 1952, he returned to the United States and finished out his time with the National Guard.
Ray married Dorthy Swenson in December of 1950. Ray and Dorthy had six children, Sheryl Murray, Alexandria, VA, Douglas (Armine) Murray, Dickinson, ND, Jack (Sheri) Murray, Gillette, WY, Jill (William) Netterberg, Sturgis, SD, Joseph Murray, Phoenix, AZ, and Neil Murray, Sturgis, SD. Survivors also include Ray's sisters, Donna (Dean) Miller, Sturgis, SD, and Elaine (Ken) Thompson, Piedmont, SD; three grandchildren, Julie (Jamie) Hermann, Kadoka, SD, Steven Netterberg, Sturgis, SD, and Jodie (Ron) Handran, Spokane, WA; and six great-grandchildren, Garrett and Kole Hermann, McKenzie, Keely, and Brinley Handran, and Sandon Netterberg to arrive the end of July.
On September 28, 1991, Ray was united in marriage to Mary Hanzlik. The couple thoroughly enjoyed their time traveling. During several winters, they wintered south taking the warmer weather and traveling to rodeos in Texas, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, and Canada. Through their trips on land, sea, or guided tours, many lifelong friendships were built. Mary is the mother of six children, Penny Hanzlik, Phoenix, AZ, Wanda Blair, Sturgis, SD, Johnny Hanzlik, Wyoming, Boyd Hanzlik, Sturgis, SD, Darrel (Tyke) Hanzlik, Sturgis, SD, and Sam Hanzlik, Gillette, WY.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents Glenn and Ida Murray.
A memorial has been established to the Fort Meade VA Hospital.

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