Obituary for John Edward "Ed" Murray
John Edward Murray was born on May 5, 1952 in Rosebud, S.D. to Esther Marie Guerue and William Larvo Murray. Ed was the youngest of eight children. His siblings: Wilson Murray (dec.), Marian Murray Knox (dec.), Geraldine Murray Miller (dec.), William Steven Murray (dec.), Timothy Murray, Angeline Murray (dec.), and Sandra Murray Wilcox.
Ed spent the majority of his life in Parmelee, S.D. He attended Prairie View Country School between Parmelee and Norris, South Dakota, He Dog Elementary School, and Todd County Jr/high school, graduating in 1971. He stayed at Bishop Hare Home for Boys while attending Todd County. He went on to attend Sinte Gleska Community College for a few years.
He married Lynnette Mesteth in 1972 and had five children; William Dean, Melissa Rose, Stephanie Maria, Johnna Lynn, and Edie Mae. They later adopted their first grandchild Maria Maelyn. They have 21 grandchildren; Maria Maelyn, Matthew Co, Sydnee Ann, William Dakota, Hunter Lane, Isabella Rose, Tylan James, and Quincee Marie, Gabrianna Rose, John Edward Michael, Alana L’Shay, Corbin Lee and Wiyaka Larvo (dec.), Mahpiya Sioux, Alanis Alberta, and Pauline Marie, Anton Ma’liek, Jaslin Anglina Hailey, Ka’Shaun Mateo, Jaiden Alysia Rose, and Eli Ash Hacker. They have 10 great-grandchildren; Aurora Skye, Amara Blake, Edward Larvo, Macksen Cole, Roselyn Maria, Olowan Was’te Win, Dade Christian, Kashlynnrose Maria, Olivia Grayce, and Sunflower Leigh, Jameson Asher Austin.
Ed attended Mountain Plains Educational and Economical Development Program in Glasgow, MT attaining a certificate in Hotel/Motel Management. He began working at Chief Gall Inn near Mobridge, SD, Sioux City Welding and Machinery, Pine Ridge Boarding School Boys dorm, Oglala Sioux Commodity Program, then returning to Parmelee to work for Todd County School District’s He Dog School from 1978 through the present school year ending a 42 year career in his passing. He had jobs at various ranches, gas stations, and construction jobs.
Ed wrestled for Todd County High School and had a great love for the sport of rodeo. He received many medals and won many rodeo events in bareback, saddle, and bull riding. He enjoyed riding bulls the most. As a para-professional at He dog School he had many titles; classroom aide, title one math and reading tutor, In-school Suspension supervisor, Peer mediator coach, After-school Program teacher, suburban driver, and wrestling coach. He advocated for the students of He Dog School making sure things were done in the best interest of the students and community. He started a traveling baseball team that he enjoyed doing, along with several ole cowboys, he spent several years sponsoring a youth rodeo, and a few years sponsoring a youth fishing tournament. He loved working with youth of all ages and followed his own children and grandchildren’s athletic and rodeo events.
He, along with his brother Tim, his son Bill, his daughter Stephanie and several others, rode in the Big Foot Memorial Ride for four years, 1986-1990.
He leaves behind his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, his sister, his brother and numerous nieces and nephews that he treated as his own children.
Ed spent the majority of his life in Parmelee, S.D. He attended Prairie View Country School between Parmelee and Norris, South Dakota, He Dog Elementary School, and Todd County Jr/high school, graduating in 1971. He stayed at Bishop Hare Home for Boys while attending Todd County. He went on to attend Sinte Gleska Community College for a few years.
He married Lynnette Mesteth in 1972 and had five children; William Dean, Melissa Rose, Stephanie Maria, Johnna Lynn, and Edie Mae. They later adopted their first grandchild Maria Maelyn. They have 21 grandchildren; Maria Maelyn, Matthew Co, Sydnee Ann, William Dakota, Hunter Lane, Isabella Rose, Tylan James, and Quincee Marie, Gabrianna Rose, John Edward Michael, Alana L’Shay, Corbin Lee and Wiyaka Larvo (dec.), Mahpiya Sioux, Alanis Alberta, and Pauline Marie, Anton Ma’liek, Jaslin Anglina Hailey, Ka’Shaun Mateo, Jaiden Alysia Rose, and Eli Ash Hacker. They have 10 great-grandchildren; Aurora Skye, Amara Blake, Edward Larvo, Macksen Cole, Roselyn Maria, Olowan Was’te Win, Dade Christian, Kashlynnrose Maria, Olivia Grayce, and Sunflower Leigh, Jameson Asher Austin.
Ed attended Mountain Plains Educational and Economical Development Program in Glasgow, MT attaining a certificate in Hotel/Motel Management. He began working at Chief Gall Inn near Mobridge, SD, Sioux City Welding and Machinery, Pine Ridge Boarding School Boys dorm, Oglala Sioux Commodity Program, then returning to Parmelee to work for Todd County School District’s He Dog School from 1978 through the present school year ending a 42 year career in his passing. He had jobs at various ranches, gas stations, and construction jobs.
Ed wrestled for Todd County High School and had a great love for the sport of rodeo. He received many medals and won many rodeo events in bareback, saddle, and bull riding. He enjoyed riding bulls the most. As a para-professional at He dog School he had many titles; classroom aide, title one math and reading tutor, In-school Suspension supervisor, Peer mediator coach, After-school Program teacher, suburban driver, and wrestling coach. He advocated for the students of He Dog School making sure things were done in the best interest of the students and community. He started a traveling baseball team that he enjoyed doing, along with several ole cowboys, he spent several years sponsoring a youth rodeo, and a few years sponsoring a youth fishing tournament. He loved working with youth of all ages and followed his own children and grandchildren’s athletic and rodeo events.
He, along with his brother Tim, his son Bill, his daughter Stephanie and several others, rode in the Big Foot Memorial Ride for four years, 1986-1990.
He leaves behind his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, his sister, his brother and numerous nieces and nephews that he treated as his own children.