Robert D. Murray Sr., 90, of Poplar, MT passed away Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the Poplar Community Hospital surrounded by his family.
Born in Brockton, MT on March 5, 1920, he was the son of Isaac and Adeline Murray. He attended schools in Brockton until the age of sixteen, he was then employed with the Army Corp of Engineers and helped build the Fort Peck Dam. He joined the United States Army in 1940. He was a soldier in the B Company 163rd infantry, 41st Division “Company B”, an all Native American Unit. He received training in South Africa. He was sent to fight in the South Pacific where he was wounded, and was sent back to the states for treatment. Although not completely healed from his wounds, he was deployed to France to fight the Nazis. This campaign led US forces through Germany and Austria. He was with the allied forces when they liberated the people from a death camp in Austria. After Japan surrendered, he was honorably discharged and sent home. He received numerous war medals which included the Purple Heart.
In his younger years, we was a well accomplished athlete where he excelled as a bronc rider, basketball player, and champion golden glove boxer which led him to fight at Madison Square Garden. With over thirty years in law enforcement, he served as a tribal police officer for the Fort Peck and Rocky Boy reservations. He also served as a police officer in Libby, MT, was a Roosevelt County Undersheriff, and later became the Chief of Police in Poplar until his retirement in 1983. He later served as a Tribal Judge for the Fort Peck Tribes.
He married Patricia Ann Atkinson in Soap Lake, WA on July 5, 1947 to this union they had six children or as he lovingly referred to them as “house apes”; Dallas, Barbara, Cathy, Roberta, Robert, and Patricia. Patricia passed away in 1964.
He then married Donna Reddoor, they later divorced but remained friends until his death.
He is survived by his children, Dallas Falcon, Barbara Jean Murray, Cathy “Kate” Murray all of Poplar, Roberta “Billie Gayle” (Howard) Bemer of Brockton, Robert “Boy” (Theresa) Murray Jr., and Patricia Ann “Patty Ann” Murray both of Poplar; grandchildren, Dallas Hendersen of Sidney, MT, Rohonda Kuehn of Maricopa, AZ, Royal Robertson of Billings, MT, Robert Wagner of Great Falls, MT, Paul (Darci) Lee, Brandi Smith, Ronnie Smith, Bill Prichard, all of Poplar, Isaac (Cira) Murray of Hilo, HI, Jessie Murray of Santa Fe, NM, and Robert D. Murray III of Poplar; great grandchildren, Brenden Lee, Robert Lee, Heather (Jesse) Sutherland, Eugene Ryan, Avery Azure, Kaelen Smith, Ronnie Smith, Brady Smith, Charles Smith, Ruben Smith, Ronnie Kae Prichard, William Prichard, Aiden Charles Prichard, and Gabriella Murray of Hilo, HI; and one great great grandchild, Jayda Falcon Sutherland.
Dad’s favorite past time was fishing with “The Boy” and gardening. Only he knew of how many state records for the largest fish he could have held, but instead chose to feed his family and friends. Every fall, produce from his garden fed many families as well as his own. Though hardened by his military experience and many years in law enforcement, he was a kind, honest, sharing man who lived his life on his own terms. Our dad/grandpa is deeply loved by his family and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents Isaac and Adeline Murray; brothers, John, William, Jim, Tom, and Frances Murray; sister, Elizabeth Murray Vollertsen; niece, Debra Murray; long time friend, Patty Lynn Waters; and his wife, Patricia Murray.
At his request, cremation has taken place along with a private family service. Inurnment of his remains will be laid to rest in the spring, alongside the love of his life, Patricia.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.