On January 18, 2019, Gary Edwin Murphy of Wolf Creek, MT went home to be with his savior Jesus Christ. Gary was born March 10, 1936, the second child of Arthur and Mabel Murphy. His grandfather William Reinig first came to Helena to work in his uncle’s store and later purchased the ranch in the Dearborn area where Gary grew up. As a young child he attended the small Dearborn Schoolhouse which held classes only in spring, summer and fall since traveling in the winter was too difficult. Gary attended high school in Helena and then majored in Industrial Arts at what is now Montana State University in Bozeman. Throughout high school and college Gary remained active in 4-H and was later a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. After graduating from college, Gary joined the Army and liked the idea of earning some extra hazardous-pay so he joined the 82nd Airborne Division based out of Fort Benning, Georgia.
Shortly after leaving the army he met and soon married Betty Lou Colarchick of Raynesford, MT. They were married on August 28, 1960. Gary took his bride back to the ranch that he called home and they proceeded to build a life together. While in the military Gary bought a ’57 Chevy which he cherished, however in 1967 he sold his car in order to send Betty back to college which he said was the best life insurance policy money could buy. Three children were born to Gary and Betty, Kymn (Murphy) Van Dyken in 1961, Paige (Murphy) Hiebert in 1964 and Max Murphy in 1969. With the help of his wife, Gary took over operation of the ranch in 1964 and continued to operate the place to his final days.
He worked hard to make the ranch profitable, but always took the time to care for what really mattered in his life, the people. Gary served as a clerk for the Dearborn School District until its closure, an Election Judge for 40-plus years, managed the Dearborn Cemetery, served on the Soil Conservation District and Farm Credit Agency. Gary also served on the Helena School Board for 8 years with Gene Donaldson, Gene Rice, Ed Prebil, William Leaphart Sr. and Penny Bullock.
One of Gary’s passions throughout his life was learning and then sharing local Montana history. Peter Burggraff, Anita Wilson and Gary wrote a book about the history of homesteaders in the Wolf Creek and Dearborn area. They culminated the book with a narrated tour that filled two greyhound buses with a luncheon at the Blacktail Ranch.
He is remembered as a loving husband, caring father, instructing grandfather, generous neighbor and most importantly as a follower of Jesus Christ. Gary lived a life as a servant whenever he saw the opportunity. He finished strong and is now worshipping his savior face to face!
Gary is survived by his wife Betty. Sister Joyce (Murphy) Jackson. Children: Kymn (Murphy) Van Dyken, Paige (Murphy) Hiebert and Max Murphy. Grandchildren: Kara (Van Dyken) Woodworth, Meg (Van Dyken) Gray, Skyler Van Dyken, Conner Van Dyken, Armand Hiebert and Jadon Hiebert. Great grandchildren: Arthur, Solomon and Evelyn Woodworth; Matthew, Daniel and Katherine Gray.
A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 26, at 11:00 a.m. at Last Chance Chapel, 6240 Raven Rd, Helena, MT 59602. A Reception will follow the service at the church. Burial will be held at the Dearborn Cemetery outside of Wolf Creek. Donations in honor of Gary can be made to Last Chance Chapel or Dearborn Cemetery, 5405 MT Highway 434, Wolf Creek, MT 59648. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Gary.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11: 00 a.m.
Saturday January 26, 2019
Last Chance Chapel
6240 Raven Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Saturday January 26, 2019
Last Chance Chapel
6240 Raven Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Saturday January 26, 2019
Dearborn Cemetery
Wolf Creek, Montana 59648
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11: 00 a.m.
Saturday January 26, 2019
Last Chance Chapel
6240 Raven Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Saturday January 26, 2019
Last Chance Chapel
6240 Raven Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Saturday January 26, 2019
Dearborn Cemetery
Wolf Creek, Montana 59648
Bonnie Greenwood says
I remember my uncle Gary as being such a positive force in my life…so upbeat….always thinking of others…..when I worked on the ranch every summer growing up…..he was so energetic when he would get up in the early morning to start the day……he knew I had a hard time getting up early…..he would be smiling…..and singing at the top of his lungs….”Oh what a beautiful morning……Oh what a beautiful day” from the musical Oklahoma….I will miss him terribly…..may you bring the joy and happiness to everyone in heaven….and give my love to my Dad….and of course Grandpa Art And Grandma Mabel….who will welcome you into their arms…..your niece Bonnie Jackson Greenwood
Kenya Greenwood Filipowicz says
I learned to dance the Jitterbug on Uncle Gary’s feet. He was a great dancer, great teacher, hard worker and just so warm to everyone he came across.
He always seemed to be filled with joy with a big smile on his face. I’ll miss that joyful smile. Thank you for blessing so many of us with your wonderful spirit!
Gerald Wearley says
Sending our sincere sympathy to you Betty and all your family. Gary was such a nice man and so helpful during our children’s 4-H years. Always knew us wherever we were. What a sorrowful loss to the community and family and friends. Prayers and condolences to all. Gerald & Connie Wearley and family
Chris Evans says
This makes me so sad. Gary was one of my bosses when he served as a board member on the Conservation District. He was on the hiring committee when I was hired almost 20 years ago. Gary had such an amazing attitude toward life, our natural resources and working with people. He will be greatly missed.
Charlie Roehm says
I have a memory I would like to share. I worked at the Murphy ranch a couple of summers, as a teenager, and have so many fond memories of Gary and family, and of things that happened during those times. This memory stands out specifically about Gary: Seems like it was a Sunday after church and we all had had a rough week. Gary and I were going to check the irrigation ditches and move our dams, when Betty suggested that we go fishing afterwards. So after moving our dams and checking our irrigation, we loaded up in a flatbed and headed down to the creek. We headed toward Bergraf’s and got to a certain point on the creek, and Gary said “Lets split up, I’ll go downstream and fish up and you go upstream and fish back and we’ll meet back here at the truck.” So off we went. It must’ve been an hour, or a hour and a half and I was still fishing, and I noticed Gary walking up toward me. I was kneeling down untangling my line, as I was pretty much a novice at fishing at that time. When I looked up, this vision is so clear in my mind, I saw him walking and noticed how his walk was strong and yet affected by his life around horses. Not bow legged, just his gait showed how he balanced himself. As he approached me, I saw the worn out places in his jeans showing how hard he worked off of his thighs. With a loose blue plaid shirt, and a wide canvas strap of an old basket kreel across his chest, holding his fly rod out in front while he walked up. The closer he got I saw his smile from ear to ear which was shaded by his old straw hat. When he got to me he said with a gleam in his eye, “Check out this kreel of fish”. In the kreel was a lot of green grass with about 5 very nice trout. He wore that grin all the way home.
Brown Cecelia Linda says
A life well lived! A faithful, caring, loving man of God. It is so well know and experienced in the extended family and the living memories expressed from family and friends. His commitment to family, friends, community, country and the care of our planet are all qualities that show his Faith in Action. No greater love!
Peace to you Betty, Kymn, Paige and Max. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Mary McCullough Phelps says
Wanted Garys family to know how sorry I am to hear of his passing. We went to high school together but hadn’t seen him in years. I remember him so well in school as being so kind, thoughtful and just a very nice person. Sounds like all if those qualities followed him all of his life. Blessings to all of you.
Jerry Neilson says
As young boys, Gary, Pete Burgraff, and I did all the fun things boys growing up on cattle ranches do. We fished, rode our bikes, we attended the Southfork School, we played innocent Halloween tricks on the neighbors, and on one of our summer Explores, discovered what later became known as the Blacktail Cave. Gary was the smallest of us boys at the time so volunteered to venture all the way in until he could stand upright and beamed his flashlight all around a very large room. We thought we were really something. . . . Years later, our paths crossed again at Montana State. Upon graduation and serving in the military, Gary returned to the family ranch, and I left the state to pursue a different career path. Upon my retirement, I moved to Bigfork and was able to participate in Dearborn activities again such as the Fourth of July picnic, and various other celebrations. Gary was always chosen to be the leader of these fun gatherings, because he always did such a good job. Gary was a true gentleman, the best of the best.
Dan Rossberg says
I met Gary just within the last year or so at the Dearborn Chapel. I fondly remember how he approached this total stranger, me, with his hand outstretched. He made me feel welcome imediately. What a tower of a man! Bless you and your family Gary.
Cathy Burggraff says
My Friend Gary Murphy
I have always known Gary, my Dad’s best and lifelong friend, to be a part of the Dearborn, the ranch and our family. Certain to be received with a warm welcome and time for catching up, I would look forward to helping Gary with what ever project he was working on whenever he showed up at the ranch; whether it was irrigating, fencing, patching up equipment, spraying weeds or chasing cows, he always made it memorable with a big smile, good dog, great stories and time to listen.
Sometimes riding we would put in what seemed like 48 hour days, but he always made time to enjoy the berries when they were in season, take a nap next to the horse trailer when he could after eating one of Betty’s famously delicious lunches. When I commented that he was pretty skinny and should eat more he responded he “wasn’t much of a testimony to his wife’s good cooking!”.
I’ll remember watching the lightning strike in the horizon while we were out riding, towing his John Deere with my Chevy pick-up and running it till my truck was off all fours to get that tractor running and watching him with a sludge hammer “make a few minor adjustments” on the tractor when we got it to the shop to get it running. He knew how to get ‘er done.
I can hardly believe he’s gone. It fact, it will be a long time, if ever, he’ll ever be gone in my mind.
Rest in Peace Gary
With Much Love
Cathy Burggraff
Sue Williams says
Our sympathy and prayers are with you all as you miss your loved one. May the God of all comfort be near you as you remember all your wonderful memories. To know Gary is with Jesus is the greatest comfort of all. Wad and Sue Williams
John Ulberg says
Gary was always a bright spot in any day with that winning smile. I have many memories of times we shared
all the way back to the 60’s. I truly enjoyed knowing him.
Nancy says
Just noticed I was one month older than Gary. Many fond memories,especially in 4_H and the many fairs we attended. Our children attended some out of state 4-H events. I think Kim and Kent.
Betty I am in Texas until April so will miss Gary’s memorial service. It’s been 1 1/2 years since Don died. The grief journey is hard. You are in my prayers.
Kelley Kohlwes says
Going out to Montana every summer growing up was a definite highlight of my childhood and Gary Murphy was a large part of making those summers memorable. Even though we worked hard, often on the tractor in the hot sun, building fences, or occasionally when I helped move cattle, Gary always brought a positivity that made even the most difficult tasks enjoyable. I’ll never forget one experience when Gary was showing us around his new swather. He was happy, telling jokes and making all of us kids laugh. He was always able to bring a light into our lives like that, even on the toughest days. He even introduced us to watermelon sour patch kids — a favorite of his at the time (or so he told us as he was “letting us in a on a secret of the best candy”) and still a favorite of mine to this day. Gary’s spirit and heart warming nature will never be forgotten and I am truly thankful for the time we had together. Rest in peace, Gary.
Love, Kelley Kohlwes
Kurt Burggraff says
Gary Murphy was someone that I always looked up to. For three summers I work for Gary from the time I was 14 years old and Gary always instilled upon me the good work ethics that it took to run a ranch. Gary always made sure that there was time away from work to have a good time at the Bible camp and pay for me to go there for one week each summer.
Gary had to be one of the hardest working people I know of.
I remember last summer Gary spraying weeds on the side of a hill, dragging the spray hose up the hill, that you would expect only a young man would be doing.
I am going to miss one of the most caring people I know and am sure he is in Gods hands now.
Brett Burggraff says
Gary Murphy has always been like extended family for most of the people he knew. I’m going to miss him. He was always such a fireball, going, going, and now gone. All except the memories. He rarely took a break, I guess as most ranchers do. That is what I believe he loved and wouldn’t have had it any other way. Now he has his new eternal life that awaits him in heaven.
Shirley Bird says
Max, and Family: With deepest sympathy, I’m so sorry for the loss of your Dad, my prayers are with you and your family.
Robert Wendel says
I remember visiting Dad’s cousin Mabel and hubby Art on a cold winter day in the 60’s when I was a boy, with brothers John and Richard, visiting from Lima, Peru with mom Dolly and my dad Clifford. It was cold and windy my jeans froze on my legs when I got out of the car. Gary had just built his homestead and they were talking about wire fencing they had to fix.
Richard was just three then. Watching the Yellowstone series, I reminded him of our visit back then. Gary was a young man back then. I neve saw the family back then
Robert Wendel says
I remember visiting Dad’s cousin Mabel and hubby Art on a cold winter day in the 60’s when I was a boy, with brothers John and Richard, visiting from Lima, Peru with mom Dolly and my dad Clifford. It was cold and windy my jeans froze on my legs when I got out of the car. Gary had just built his homestead and they were talking about wire fencing they had to fix.
Richard was just three then. Watching the Yellowstone series, I reminded him of our visit back then. Gary was a young man back then. I never saw the family again.
John Cook says
John Cook says,
It was my great privilege to have worked for Gary and my dear great cousin Betty on their ranch. My memories of the family are like yesterday. It was though Betty’s advice to me “to get a Bible and read it for yourself” that led to my salvation by accepting the truth that Jesus died for my sins and arose from the dead (John 6:47; and 1 Peter 3:18). Praise the Lord! Gary, being 10 years my senior, always amazed me by his energy, strength, and humor. He was a great Poet too. I am happy that Skyler VanDyken is involved with managing the ranch. God bless all who read this. Gary is missed and my deepest sympathies to Betty and the rest of the family.
John Garner Hicks says
Gary and Royce Hicks, now both resting in peace, were lifelong friends. Royce cherished his friendship with Gary as they had been fraternity brothers when attending at Bozeman. There were a number of times when we traveled to visit and camp along the banks of the south fork of the Dearborn River on the Murphy Ranch. Gary’s family were always kind and generous hosts to our family with all six children when we would come to visit. My oldest brother James worked one summer for Gary and described working and living on the ranch when he returned… I always marveled at the opportunity James had been given. The kindness of Gary and his family to ours will never be forgotten, even as Royce’s funeral in Weippe ID was attended and honor was given years earlier. Gary honored his friendships and was a lifelong friend to my father.
Richard (Dick) Vaughn says
I worked for Art and Gary summer of 65. My dad worked with them, brick Vaughn, when he was with 4-h. Many good memories stopping off going to or from Gt Falls or seeing Betty or Gary when Betty went to college. They attended my dad’s funeral.