George Michael Murray
George Michael Murray
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George Murray Obituary
Mike was born September 4, 1949 in Buffalo, New York. He was the son of the late Robert M. Murray and Monica (Zugger) Murray, both of Buffalo. He was the grandson of the late Michael N. Murray and Stella (Hayes) Murray, both of DuBois, PA, and George W. Zugger and Julia (Schrauffsteter) Zugger of Buffalo.
Mike attended Hutchinson Central Technical High School in Buffalo where he was a member of the undefeated swim team. In 1964 the family moved to Henderson, Nevada where Mike graduated from Basic High School in 1967. He graduated with Honors from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.
He was employed by Washoe County Animal Control and the Washoe County District Health Department in the Vector Borne Diseases Program. He retired in May 2008.
Mike was an avid astro-photographer, upland game hunter, scientist, traveler, reader, zymurgist and family historian. He was also an accomplished wood-worker and carver. True to his Irish heritage, he laughed readily and loved talking with people. True to his German heritage, he was a perfectionist.
Mike is survived by his two black Labs, Kona and Raven as well as his wife and best friend of 46 years, Susan (Roberts) Murray. Also surviving are an older half-brother H.R. Cabic, nieces and nephews, Cairenn (Mike), Cassie (Mark), Cheyenne, Caleb, Deric, Jason and Declan. His two children, Heather (John) and Adam also survive. Mike was most proud of his grandchildren: Alex (Sam), Ashley (Brad), Grace, Anna, Lizzie (Cole), Kida and Pippin.
Mike is pre-deceased by his younger half-brother Charles M. "Chuck" Murray, and two nephews, Rick M. Cabic, and Andrew J. Murray.
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.
In memory of Mike's kind and generous spirit, donations may be made to the Canine Rehabilitation Center and Cat Sanctuary, 555 U.S. Hwy 395, N. Washoe Valley, NV 89704, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Karen Korabek
August 29, 2025
Happy heavenly Birthday to my dear cousin Mike! I love and miss you so much.I have great memories of you, and will never forget the great times we had together!!!
Mike Lupan
August 11, 2024
What sad news to hear about Mikes passing. I was grateful to know Mike, work with Mike and have him as a friend. Mike helped shape my career and was always one to help when I needed it. Mike was a mentor and someone I looked up to. His enthusiasm, curiosity and drive to excel at everything he did was contagious. He had an incredible drive for work and doing the best he could at whatever he was "keen" on pursuing. I really enjoyed the back and forth with Mike on getting his back yard observatory set up and all things astrophotography (with a little bit of home improvement) post retirement. He was extremely passionate yet could decompress with a little laughter when the mood hit. Mike was a good friend and I will miss him. My heart goes out to Sue and the rest of his family.
- Mike Lupan.
Judy Walls
August 8, 2024
Too soon, Mike, too soon. You were a true renaissance man. With a full life and fascinating interests. Rest peacefully, and know your friends and family will keep you close. And keep an eye on Susan, Kona and Raven
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Todd Manning
August 8, 2024
There is a saying, "People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime." For those of us who were fortunate enough to spend time with Mike, it extends a bit past a lifetime with hints of eternal attributes.
Mike had a gift. It was no doubt unbeknownst to him due to his humble nature; but, he definitely had a gift. There was a steady, gentle, non-intrusive presence about him. Wherever he went, he brought a soothing warmth to any room or situation. For me, for more than thirty years now, Mike has been a beautiful beacon. The comforting reassurance in knowing he was always there with his heart open for his grandchildren helped guide me through the rocky shores of life and find safe harbor to raise them. His gift has flowed into their hearts and is now part of his beautiful grandparental heritage.
Come to think of it, Mike had another gift. (I think almost everyone will agree with me on this.) He had the "nerdiest" career and hobbies but somehow made them seem captivatingly cool. Mosquitos and creepy-crawly things suddenly transformed into exotic, alien-like creatures with supernatural abilities! He even made the gooey-sludge at the bottom of his meticulously hand-crafted homebrews seem enticing. His playful humor was infused into most topics including a lengthy, hypothetical discussion of the probable consequences of ingesting that homebrew sludge!
Eulogies are normally written as ever-so-gentle goodbyes. For a man who was a wonderful husband, grampa, father, friend and father-in-law, an "opening" is much more fitting:
Heather and I, along with Alex who was maybe one year old at the time, stopped by to say "hello" to Grampa Mike and Grandma Susan. There Mike stood, beaming with pride and joy while trying to contain himself from beating his chest over the new deck he just built! Well Mike, I do have something to say about that damn deck, "When it is time to rebuild it yet again, send me a shooting star and you and I will get after it together!"
We love you so much!
Todd and your tribe of grandchildren.
Kelley Ireland
August 6, 2024
I didn´t know Mike well, except through Susan, whom I worked with and was a friend of. Susan always kept a photo of Mike in a plain white shirt on her desk at work, and our office was all female, so of course we all admired Mike´s movie star good looks. One of our "go-to" comments was how Mike could make even a plain white shirt look fabulous. I recall their great trips abroad and stateside, and their wonderful marriage and friendship so clearly. They made a beautiful couple. May Mike rest in peace.
Bob Ballard
August 6, 2024
I didn't know Mike well, but I worked next to Washoe County Animal Control for ten years and he visited the Longley Lane complex quite a few times to visit with his old crew. He was a very nice guy and always had a big smile on his face. I'm sorry to read of his passing, but he will join some of his crew as they have made their way to Heaven ahead of him. The world will be a little dimmer without his kindness and smile and I'm trying my best to follow Mark, Larry, Cliff, Katie, and him and get to know him better. Rest In Peace Mike.
Karen Korabek
August 5, 2024
Mike was more like a brother to me than a cousin. He was at our house a lot. I remember one time he locked me out of the house.The door had 3 little windows on it. I pounded on the window so hard that I broke it.We told my mom and dad the wind blew the door shut.We did get caught because the glass was on the inside and not on the outside. I have so many great memories of Mike.I was so when they moved away and happy in a way because he never would have met Susan.Loved when they both came to visit.RIP my dear cousin.I love you. Tell we meet again.
Karen Murray
August 5, 2024
We didn't meet until later in their lives, it was so rewarding and I'm greatful for all the memories we have made over the past 33 years. Mike and Sue have been there for my family in every way possible during all the times of joy and tragedy. He was the best Uncle ever with many words of wisdom and emotional support. Rest in peace Mike, love and miss you
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