Don D. Murray

Don Murray, 78, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 14, 2017 from a lingering bout with heart disease. At his request, no service will be held. A party in celebration of his life will be held with family and friends at a later date. Cremation has been in the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. Burial of ashes will be in Lower Hill Cemetery in Anaconda. Don was born April 27, 1938 in Anaconda, Montana, where he attended school and graduated from Anaconda Senior High School in 1956. He was a member of the varsity football, basketball, and track teams while attending high school. After graduation he attended Western Montana College in Dillon where he played on the baseball team and he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education in 1960.He married Onnolee Kellegher, of Anaconda, in 1960 and they would raise five children together. He started his career in education at Harlem High School in Harlem, Montana in 1961, teaching history and political science, while also serving as the varsity boys’ basketball coach until 1971. He took a leave of absence during the 1968-69 school year to attend the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana on an Experienced Teacher Fellowship Program. He received his M.A. degree in History from the University of Notre Dame in the summer of 1969. He received his Administrative Certification from Montana State University in 1972. In 1971 Don was hired as the Assistant High School Principal at Fergus High School in Lewistown, Montana; a position he held until 1974. He then moved to Choteau, Montana where he was the High School Principal and Athletic Director until his retirement in 1992 after 31 years in Education. He and his wife, Onnolee, relocated to Fairfield to be near family. He was a member of various professional educational organizations and was a past president of the Choteau Lions Club and the Teton Sportsman’s Association. He was also a volunteer for the Choteau Information Center and for the AARP Driving Alive at 55 course. Don was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting elk with his sons. At which he proved not too successful over many years. His failure to connect with the “big bull” was covered up by stating “it’s not the kill, it’s the pursuit.” He also enjoyed following his grandkids in numerous sporting events. Don is survived by his wife of 56 years; sons Mark (Linda) of Fairfield, Mike (Tammy) of Billings, Max of Fairfield, and Mitch (Grace) of Helena; daughter Melody Lee of Anaconda; sister Belva Menicucci of Deer Lodge; brother Bill Pierce of Butte; twelve grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Ruth Koehn; brother Larry Pierce; and sister Linda Knadler.