Kelly Murray

Kelly Murray passed away on the evening of September 13th in the home of his good buddy, Max, his ball fetchin’ and part time nurse, labrador retriever. His brother Mark and sister-in-law Margaret also shared the home with them. Max and Mark were able to be at his bedside as he passed away.

Kelly was born October 28, 1962 in Williston, ND to Chuck and Clare (Thiele) Murray and lived most of his life in Bismarck where he graduated from Bismarck High School. While growing up Kelly loved the water and would swim, bob and tread water at Elks Pool and in later years threw thousands of tennis balls into the river for the dogs to retrieve.

Kelly was known as incredibly generous spirit and volunteered many years at St. Vincent nursing home, helping with BINGO and various other activities. He was thoughtful and kind and during his many hospitalizations the last ten years he would often be found in the hallways chatting with other patients, their family members, or hospital cleaning staff. After one surgery at Mayo Clinic he returned home and lived at Miller Point for several months of rehab. After a few days at Miller Point, he was told he could have his own room, which he promptly turned down because he felt his blind elderly roommate could use his help. It was not uncommon to find Kelly in the midst of a listening conversation with a patient who was feeling lonely and isolated.

He developed a passionate love of the game of FARKLE which became a daily staple with family members over the last several years. A win in FARKLE or his favorite card game, Kings Corner, was met with a jubilant laugh and fist pump. A typical after dinner activity the last few years included three games of Kings Corner, one game of Spicy Farkle, with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, or his favorite Billy Joel playing in the background – which always included a sing-a-long to the favorite songs.

Very few people met Kelly without talking about sports, especially Australian Rules Football, Pro Wrestling, his beloved Notre Dame teams, or some other off-beat middle-of-the-night sport that he had decided to follow.

He loved dogs and dogs loved him. Kelly exuded a welcoming spirit to his dog relatives that made them both delighted to see him and delight him in return. A great and lasting memory from the last weeks was having six dogs, wet from swimming in the river, sitting and panting around his wheelchair in the living room while he laughed, petted, and crooned over them.

Kelly’s life was not an easy one and he had many challenges, but ultimately Kelly’s life story was one of amazing resiliency. As he breathed his last, sadness and loss were there, but the strongest image was crossing the finish line after the world’s toughest ten year ultramarathon with his fists pumped high. What an amazing race. We are the Champions cued up. And when things got tough, joy and love always made it through. Well run Kelly, well run.

Kelly is survived by his older sister, Micki (Craig), their daughter Kate (Justin) their children Athena (Caleb) and Willow: his older brother Mark (Margaret) their children Lisa (David), Keith (Carly), Scott (Kelsey) their children Emmeline, River, and Arlo, and Burundi family, Suavis, Odavi, David, Imani, and Joy.

Kelly was preceded in death by his parents Chuck and Clare Murray and his niece Greta.