Ed was 76 years old. Ed was born to John A. and Mildred Murray of Denver, Colo. on May 25, 1938. He graduated from Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1962. Upon graduation, Ed and Joan married in Fort Collins, Colo. and took a position as an associate veterinarian in Clarendon, Texas. In 1963, Ed and Joan established Spur Veterinary Hospital. Their oldest son, Scott was born in 1965; two years later, Clay was born. Ed and Joan worked side by side in the veterinary practice for more than 49 years, before leaving the practice in 2011.

Ed became a Superior Livestock Auctions representative in 2001 and consigned cattle to the televised video auction for producers in the west Texas and Panhandle regions until his death. Ed was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Equine Practitioners, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and the Texas Equine Veterinary Association. He served on the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (President 1986) and served as President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners in 1990.

In addition to his professional service involvement, he served on many local and regional boards including: South Plains Volunteer Service, Spur Area Chamber of Commerce, Spur Independent School District, Board of Trustees, Dickens County Republican Party Chairman, Dickens County 4-H Livestock Association, Lubbock Council on Alcoholism, Texas Tech University’s Center for the Study of Addiction, Caprock Telephone Cooperative Inc.’s Board of Directors and Spur Security Bank’s Board of Directors.

Ed touched many lives, both human and animal. He enjoyed beautiful sunrises, good hard rains, fast athletic horses, pastures full of cow/calf pairs and a fish on a line. Most of all he enjoyed his life-long relationship with Joan and his grandkids. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joan; son, Clay and wife, Tara of Fort Worth, Texas, daughter-in-law, Susan Murray Hochstein of Nazareth; and his grandchildren: Evan and Erin Murray of Nazareth, and Jill and Jenna Murray of Fort Worth. He is also survived by brothers, Dr. John A. Murray of Seattle, Washington and James C. Murray of Dallas; and sister, Kathleen Fischer of Dallas. Ed was preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Scott. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 15, 2014, at the Spur High School Auditorium at 3 p.m. with Rev. Larry Burton and Dr. Carl Andersen officiating. Suggested memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Spur, the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation, Lexington, KY or your favorite charity.