Robert Murray
Robert “Boy” Murray, 69, died Aug. 31, 2024.
He was born Nov. 21, 1954, in Poplar to Robert and Patricia Murray. Out of the six children, he was the only boy and the nickname “The Boy” followed all his life. He lived many places in his childhood, but Brockton and Poplar were always home. He graduated from Poplar High School in 1972. After high school, he lived in Sidney and Denver, Colo., eventually settling back in Poplar.
He married Theresa Jessepe on May 2, 1977. From this union came their three children, Isaac, Jessie and Robert “Bobby.”
Together, they built an amazing life, which included his employment with Fort Peck Tribes, city police officer, oil rig worker, mechanic and limo driver. He eventually starting his career in the Postal Service in 1984. He became post master of Brockton and Poplar, which he served his community for 36 years. He worked in may post offices in northeast Montana, including Wolf Point, Froid, Scobey, Nashua, Frazer, Culbertson and Plentywood. This made him well-known and respected throughout the Hi-Line. He retired from the Postal Service in 2020 and became, in his words, “fulltime Grandpa.”
He was a very talented musician and played in many bands throughout his life. He started to get into music in grade school, eventually starting a three-piece band with friends Wendall and Gary Mail. He spoke often of their band and how they “kicked ass.” They booked dances every weekend all over the state of Montana. Throughout his life, he was in many different bands with lifelong friends, Don Moran, Ira Darnell, Jesse Kirn, Robert BlackDog and Greg Solberg. Most recently, he started to get the music itch and talked about starting up another band. His love of music doesn’t end with him — his legacy continues with his children and grandchildren.
He was a lifelong learner, obtaining degrees from Fort Peck Community College with an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in education from Rocky Mountain College in Billings. He led by example and encouraged his children to further their educations.
He was an avid outdoorsman, taking his sons and nephews hunting, fishing and cutting firewood. Always serving his community, he also was a Poplar School Board member for many years.
He loved his culture, and he loved the Lord. He was a man of God and would pray with anyone that needed it. He was a member of the Catholic Church in Poplar and a member of the Nationwide Prayer Warrior Society. Many years were spent as a Eucharistic minister and he gave communion to the homebound sick.
The powwow circuit became his home and danced at every powwow he could attend. He made many friends on the powwow trail that he considered to be his family. He was truly happiest dancing in the powwow circle and, in the end, he was with his granddaughter Madelyn dancing at the time of his death.
He was preceded in death by sisters, Dallas Falcon, Barbara Murray and Billy Gayle Murray Bemer.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa; sons, Isaac and Robert D Murray III; daughter, Jessie; two granddaughters; and sisters, Kathy Murray and Patricia Murray.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Cremation followed. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.
Raymond “Abby” Ogle, 74, passed away on Sept. 4. 2024, at Poplar Community Hospital.
A wake will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Sept. 13, at 11 a.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel assisted the family with arrangements..
